By Reporter Anna Kim

Deputy Foreign Minister Choi Young-sam held the 7th Korea-Dutch Policy Consultation meeting with Marcel de Vink, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Seoul, to discuss bilateral relations, international and regional developments, and ways to cooperate in the international arena on June 20.

The two sides recognized that Korea and the Netherlands have established a strategic partnership since the last summit (November 2022, Seoul) and have been developing cooperation in a wide range of areas, including political, economic, and global issues. 

Both sides expressed their hope that, as similarly situated countries that share universal values such as freedom, democracy, and the rule of law, Korea and the Netherlands will strengthen strategic cooperation in emerging security areas such as defense, economic security, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity. 

The two sides also agreed on the importance of bilateral cooperation, especially for stable global supply chain management, and decided to strengthen cooperation in the field of economic security. 

The two sides also appreciated the strengthening of strategic cooperation between semiconductor companies in the two countries, such as the increased investment in the domestic semiconductor industry by ASML of the Netherlands, and agreed to continue communication and support between the two governments to further deepen and develop such cooperation.
  
Deputy Foreign Minister Choi expressed his appreciation for the Netherlands' support for Korea's North Korea policy, including its bold initiatives, and the two sides strongly condemned North Korea's military provocations and agreed to strengthen bilateral and multilateral cooperation to achieve the complete denuclearization of North Korea, including the full implementation of Security Council resolutions.

They also reaffirmed the importance of international solidarity for the end of the war in Ukraine and the restoration of peace, and agreed to continue to participate in it, and to identify concrete ways to cooperate in the future in the implementation of the In-Tae Strategy by the ROK, the Netherlands, and the EU, given the close links between freedom, peace, and prosperity in the In-Tae region and Europe. 

De Bink congratulated the Republic of Korea on its bid for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council for the 2024-25 term and expressed the hope that the two countries, with similar positions, will further expand their solidarity and cooperation at the UN and other international fora. 

Choi reiterated his appreciation for the Netherlands' public support for Korea's bid for the 2030 Busan World Expo on the occasion of the Trade Minister's visit in March, and hoped to continue working with the Netherlands in the bid process.

The 7th Policy Council is considered to be an opportunity to discuss in-depth ways to develop the bilateral relationship, which was upgraded to a strategic partnership following last year's summit, and to reaffirm solidarity on global challenges based on universal values.