By Diplomacy Journal Kayla Lee

Foreign Minister Cho Hyun held talks with Belgian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Affairs, and Development Cooperation Maxime Prévot, who is visiting South Korea from September 17-18, 2025, on September 18. They exchanged views on high-level exchanges, practical cooperation, and regional and international affairs.

Minister Cho noted that this meeting was his first bilateral meeting with a European country since taking office and that it was particularly timely given that it marked the first bilateral visit by a Belgian Foreign Minister to Korea in 14 years.

He expressed hope that this meeting would contribute to strengthening relations between the new governments of both countries and deepening bilateral cooperation.

Deputy Prime Minister Prévot congratulated Minister Cho on his appointment. He praised the strengthened exchanges and cooperation between the two countries across various fields, built upon the special bond formed when 3,500 Belgian soldiers participated in the Korean War to defend democracy.

He expressed hope that his visit would mark the beginning of more active high-level exchanges and multidimensional expansion of cooperation between the two nations.

He also emphasized the need to strengthen cooperation in areas such as economic security and defense industries between the two like-minded nations amid growing uncertainties, proposing to continue consultations for this purpose.

Meanwhile, Minister Cho explained the South Korean government's efforts to ease tensions and build peace on the Korean Peninsula, requesting Belgium's cooperation and support.

The two ministers also exchanged views on European and major international affairs, agreeing to continue bilateral cooperation for international peace and stability.

Furthermore, the ministers agreed to maintain ongoing communication to ensure that next year's 125th anniversary of diplomatic relations serves as an opportunity to strengthen bilateral ties and enhance mutual understanding between the peoples of both nations.