By Diplomacy Journal Kayla Lee

Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul, who is attending the G20 Foreign Ministers' Meeting (Feb. 20-21, Johannesburg, South Africa), held bilateral meetings with Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong and British Foreign Secretary David Lammy to exchange views on bilateral cooperation, cooperation on the international stage, and regional and international affairs on Feb. 20.

During the meeting with Australian Foreign Minister Wong, Minister Cho evaluated the 'Comprehensive Strategic Partnership' (upgraded in December in 2021), which has been strengthened through continuous high-level exchanges and strategic communication between Korea and Australia, and reviewed the achievements and status of the Korea-Australia Green Economy Partnership Agreement and the Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation to Build Green Shipping Lanes signed last year, as well as defense and defense industry cooperation.

In his meeting with British Foreign Secretary Lammy, Cho referred to Lammy's New Year's message, which referred to Korea as a key strategic partner, and assessed that the 'global strategic partnership' that was upgraded in 2023 is being realized.

Related to this, Lammy agreed, expressing his hope that the two countries will continue to work closely together to promote friendly cooperation. The two ministers exchanged views on issues of bilateral interest and agreed to continue close consultations.

Cho and the foreign ministers of the United Kingdom and Australia exchanged in-depth views on issues of common concern, including the U.S.-Korea relationship, the situation on the Korean Peninsula and illegal Russian-North Korean military cooperation, the war in Ukraine, and the global situation in the Taiwan region, and agreed to continue close communication and cooperation on major international issues.