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Deputy FM attends conference
Deputy Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yeol attended the Summit on Countering Violent Extremism held in New York, Thursday.
As the representative of the government, Cho announced that Korea would join the international community’s efforts to fight against and raise awareness of violent extremism.
He said Korea was also affected by such extremism, citing a teenager who went missing after he was influenced by the extremist Islamic State.
Deputy Minister Cho called for strengthened international efforts to counter violent extremism, noting that the need for measures to embrace marginalized people, including ethnic minorities.
The summit was hosted by the White House to “highlight domestic and international efforts to prevent violent extremists and their supporters from radicalizing, recruiting or inspiring individuals or groups” in the United States and other countries.
International dignitaries who participated in the summit include U.S. President Barack Obama, U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.
Foreign ministries and high-ranking government officials from 60 countries also joined the summit.
Korea, DR Congo hold policy meeting
Officials from Korea and the Democratic Republic of Congo held their first policy consultation meeting in Seoul on Feb. 16.
During the meeting of director generals, the Korean side proposed that the two countries increase high-level visits and expand economic and trade relations to upgrade bilateral relations.
It also asked for the Congolese government to help Korean companies win a contract to develop mines in the African country and facilitate cooperation in mineral resources.
The Korean government requested the African country to make efforts to move agreements protecting investors forward so that it can take effect as soon as possible.
The proposal came amid bilateral trade volumes that are rising.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it was the first meeting of director generals between the two countries since they established diplomatic relations in 1963 and signaled that a policy channel between the two sides has opened.
The ministry presented hope that the two sides work more closely to collaborate on economic issues and other areas.