South Korea’s New Envoy Aims to Strengthen EU Ties Amid Global Challenges

A presidential delegation to the European Union met with key EU leaders in Brussels this week and conveyed the Lee Jae-myung administration’s commitment to strengthening ties with the EU to address shared challenges, South Korea’s foreign ministry announced Thursday.

The delegation, led by former Environment Minister Yoon Yeo-joon, met with Antonio Costa, President of the European Council, on Tuesday, followed by a meeting with Christel Schaldemose, Vice President of the European Parliament, on Wednesday, the ministry stated in a press release.

President Lee recently appointed Yoon, a high-profile political strategist, as his special envoy to the 27-member bloc, along with three others to France, Britain, and India. Lee took office in early May.

During the meetings, the delegation outlined Lee’s pragmatic foreign policy approach and expressed hope for close collaboration with the EU to pave the way for peace and coexistence on the Korean Peninsula. This would be achieved by resuming inter-Korean dialogue, reducing military tensions, and building trust, according to the ministry.

Yoon personally delivered a letter from President Lee to Costa, conveying his message on strengthening relations with the EU.

Both parties agreed to advance their substantive cooperation in advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, climate change, and other key areas.

Costa expressed his eagerness for an early summit between the EU and South Korea.

In the meeting with Schaldemose, the two sides discussed efforts to further deepen the strategic partnership between South Korea and the EU. They shared the view that expanding parliamentary-level exchanges is crucial moving forward. (Yonhap)