South Korea Strengthens Diplomatic Ties at G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting

Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul attended the G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting held on February 20-21 in Johannesburg, South Africa, where he engaged in bilateral talks with key European and African partners. Among those he met were EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas, Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp, Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares Bueno, South African Foreign Minister Ronald Ozzy Lamola, and Algerian Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf. These discussions covered a range of issues, including bilateral relations, practical cooperation, and regional and international affairs.

During his meeting with High Representative Kallas, Minister Cho acknowledged the steady expansion of the Korea-EU Strategic Partnership, particularly through initiatives such as the Green Partnership and Korea’s accession as an associate country to Horizon Europe. Kallas reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to its partnership with Korea, emphasizing the country’s role as a strategic ally and a leader in the defense industry. Both sides agreed to continue discussions on implementing the Korea-EU Security and Defense Partnership, following up on their previous agreement during a phone call on January 22. They also pledged to strengthen cooperation in economic and scientific-technical fields.

In his first bilateral meeting with Dutch Foreign Minister Veldkamp, Minister Cho reviewed the progress made in Korea-Netherlands relations, which were elevated to a Strategic Partnership in 2022 across diplomacy, security, and economic sectors. Veldkamp praised Korea’s efforts to stabilize its domestic situation through democratic processes and expressed hope that this would further strengthen their bilateral ties. The two ministers also reaffirmed their commitment to establishing a Semiconductor Alliance by convening the newly established Foreign and Industry Ministers’ (2+2) Dialogue at an early date. Additionally, as the Netherlands prepares to host this year’s NATO Summit, both sides agreed to bolster cooperation on the international stage.

In his meeting with Algerian Foreign Minister Attaf, Minister Cho highlighted the significant progress in bilateral relations, pointing to increased high-level exchanges and record-breaking trade between the two countries, which reached $3.9 billion. He also called on the Algerian government to support Korean businesses operating in Algeria, addressing some of the challenges they face. Minister Attaf expressed appreciation for Korea’s contributions to Algeria’s construction and infrastructure sectors and pledged his government’s full support for Korean businesses. He further emphasized the potential for deepening bilateral cooperation in areas such as defense and startups. The two ministers agreed to collaborate closely on international issues, particularly as both South Korea and Algeria serve as non-permanent members of the UN Security Council this year.

The bilateral meetings with the foreign ministers of South Africa and Algeria underscored South Korea’s commitment to strengthening its diplomatic ties with key African nations and enhancing cooperation with the Global South. These discussions reinforced the country’s efforts to expand its global engagement and build meaningful partnerships in critical regions.

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