President Moon Jae-in received a phone call from New Zealand Prime Minister Bill English while at his office in the secretariat building of Yeomin-gwan on the Cheong Wa Dae compound, and the two leaders conversed for 20 minutes from 2:30 this afternoon.

Prime Minister English said he called to congratulate President Moon on his election and inauguration. Noting the fact that Korea and New Zealand have maintained a close partnership since the Korean War, the Prime Minister said he was thankful for the recent finalization of a free trade agreement between the two countries.

President Moon responded by saying that he was glad to speak on the phone with the Prime Minister for the first time and that that he was grateful to him for sending a congratulatory message as well as congratulating him in person over the phone. The President said he has high regard for the leadership of the Prime Minister who has been steering New Zealand to stability and prosperity both during his term in office as the Minister of Finance and, since last year, as Prime Minister. Recalling his vacation in New Zealand in 2014, President Moon said he was impressed by the great outdoors and beautiful sceneries in the country. He added that his trekking through Milford in particular still remains a fond memory.

The Prime Minister in response said that he was especially grateful to President Moon for recalling his visit to New Zealand. He expressed his close affinity with the President by noting that Milford was his constituency for 24 years.

Prime Minister English went on to say that New Zealand would continue its support for South Korea’s efforts in responding to threats by North Korea. Notably, he requested President Moon to explain if there were any change in the Korean Government’s dealings with the North Korean issue in the wake of President Moon’s election.

President Moon said that the North was continuing its nuclear and missile provocations despite the wishes of the international community. Noting that its provocations threaten not only peace on the Korean Peninsula but also world peace, the President went on to say that pressure and sanctions against the North had to be continued through enhanced cooperation of the international community. However, the President emphasized that the ultimate goal of sanctions and pressure was to bring North Korea to the negotiating table for the dismantlement of its nuclear programs. In this connection, President Moon noted that he and his Administration would pursue dialogue together with existing sanctions and pressure. Stressing that the Korean Government will closely work together with the United States, the President said he looked forward to New Zealand, a middle power in the Asia-Pacific region, forming a close cooperative relationship and asked for efforts to that end.

The Prime Minister responded by saying that he understood well the urgency of responding to North Korea`s behavior. Mentioning that New Zealand regards regional stability important, he continued to say that his country has been encouraged by the fact that countries like the South, the United States and China have a shared goal in responding to the North.

President Moon said that it was pleasing to see our two countries have continued to develop friendship and cooperation based on common values such as democracy and the market economy since the establishment of diplomatic relations. Noting that New Zealand formed a close relationship forged in blood with Korea by sending troops during the Korean War as the Prime Minister had pointed out, the President went to say that Koreans have never forgotten the noble sacrifice and dedication of the New Zealand veterans.

Noting that the free trade agreement between the two countries has been a driving force energizing bilateral trade despite difficult external conditions, President Moon said that, considering the complementary trade structure, bilateral trade would be further expanded through the FTA and it would be a win-win situation for both countries. The President also said he was aware that some 3,000 young Koreans are visiting New Zealand every year through the working holiday programs, hoping that mutual understanding between+ the peoples of the two nations would be enhanced and their close friendship further deepened. 

President Moon expressed gratitude to New Zealand for opposing North Korea’s nuclear development in order to achieve peace on the Korean Peninsula and for participating in international efforts to respond to the North Korean issue. Then, the President said he and his Administration are continuing to push the same goal of completely denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula, calling for continued support from New Zealand in the months to come.

Finally, Prime Minister English said he would like to invite President Moon to visit New Zealand when the Cabinet is formed and the new Administration is in full swing. The Prime Minister also said he was looking forward to meeting President Moon in person during a multilateral meeting at the end of the year if he wins the general election in September.

In response, President Moon wished the Prime Minister victory in the election in September, expressing his gratitude for the invitation. The President also asked the Prime Minister to visit Korea at an opportune time and said he looked forward to meeting him in person at a multilateral meeting in the latter half of the year if possible, even before the future visit.