Wi Seongrak Meets Singapore's Foreign Minister: "In-Depth Discussions on Korean Peninsula Situation"

Briefed on Results of Singaporean Foreign Minister’s Visit to North Korea
Shared Need for Swift End to Middle East Conflicts and Normalization of Navigation in the Strait of Hormuz

Cheongwadae announced that Suh Seung-rak, Director of the National Security Office, met with Singapore's Minister for Foreign Affairs Vivian Balakrishnan, who is on an official visit to Korea on the 28th, to hold in-depth discussions on ways to develop bilateral relations and the situation on the Korean Peninsula, as well as to exchange views on regional and international issues, including the situation in the Middle East.

Suh Seung-rak, Director of the National Security Office (right), met with Vivian Balakrishnan, Singapore's Minister for Foreign Affairs (left), who is on an official visit to Korea on the 28th, to have in-depth discussions on ways to develop bilateral relations and the situation on the Korean Peninsula. (Photo by Cheongwadae)

Director Suh evaluated President Lee Jaemyung's successful state visit to Singapore in March and expressed hope that high-level exchanges, such as Minister Balakrishnan's visit to Korea, would further deepen and advance the strategic partnership between Korea and Singapore, as well as the comprehensive strategic partnership between Korea and ASEAN.

Director Suh exchanged views with Minister Balakrishnan on the situation on the Korean Peninsula and was briefed on the outcomes of his visit to North Korea on May 26-27. Minister Balakrishnan, who has been visiting China, North Korea, and Korea sequentially since May 24, held talks with North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui in Pyongyang on the 26th.

In addition, Director Suh explained the Korean government's efforts toward peaceful coexistence and joint growth on the Korean Peninsula, to which Minister Balakrishnan expressed strong support, according to Cheongwadae. Director Suh especially recognized Singapore's active contribution as the host of the 2018 North Korea-U.S. summit by providing a venue for dialogue for a diplomatic resolution of issues on the Korean Peninsula, and conveyed hopes that Singapore would continue to play a constructive role for peace on the Korean Peninsula.

Regarding the situation in the Middle East, both sides agreed on the need to support diplomatic efforts for the swift end of conflicts and the restoration of regional stability, and emphasized the necessity of quickly normalizing the free and safe navigation of ships in international straits such as the Strait of Hormuz.

Cheongwadae also reported that, in the face of supply chain crises amid rapidly changing global circumstances, the two countries—which share the value of free trade as energy importers and open economies—agreed to continue close communication and cooperation.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.