By UN Journal Lee Kap-soo

Minister of Unification Chung Dong-young held a meeting with the new EU Ambassador to South Korea Ugo Astuto on Nov. 5 and requested the EU Ambassador to appoint an EU-level special envoy for the Korean Peninsula.

During a meeting with Ambassador Astuto at the Government Complex Seoul that morning, Minister Chung explained the Seoul government's policy initiatives to restore trust and foster a peaceful environment between the two Koreas.

He stated, "Dialogue and negotiation are necessary to transform the Korean Peninsula into a peaceful environment," and requested active cooperation and support from the international community and the EU.

Ambassador Astuto responded, "The EU will also continue to communicate and cooperate for peace on the Korean Peninsula."

The Ministry of Unification stated that both sides agreed to continue close communication to advance peace on the Korean Peninsula.

Minister Chung also raised the issue of an EU special envoy for the Korean Peninsula in a meeting with officials from the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, a policy research institute of the German Social Democratic Party, that afternoon.

Minister Chung stated, "Regarding the Korean Peninsula issue, China and Sweden have special envoys," and added, "I asked Ambassador Astuto that active engagement on Korean Peninsula issues at the EU level would contribute to regional peace and stability."

Meanwhile, Christoph Heuser-Ebert-Stiftung Korea Office Director announced that an international expert meeting was held with the Swedish think tank Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) from Nov. 2 to 4 on the topic of "International Community Support for South Korea's Leading Initiatives."

He stated, "We intend to continue working with the Ministry of Unification of South Korea for a peaceful Korean Peninsula."

Minister Chung explained to them the government's North Korea and unification policy direction, emphasizing the value of "peaceful coexistence" from the perspective of restoring trust between the two Koreas.

The Ministry of Unification reported that he also emphasized the need to promote multilateral cooperation beyond inter-Korean relations to promote peace on the Korean Peninsula and in Northeast Asia, and requested the diverse suggestions and cooperation of world-renowned scholars.