A delegation led by Chairman Chong Soo Park of the PCNEC visited Azerbaijan, Georgia and the Kyrgyz Republic from Nov. 20 to 29. During this trip, the Chairman paid a courtesy call to H.E. President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan and held multiple meetings with ministers and high-ranking officials from relevant ministries and organizations. The agenda ranged from sharing the progress of cooperation projects and resolving pending issues to discussing the possibility of holding summit meetings in the coming year.

The overseas trip took place despite travel constraints due to the Covid-19 pandemic, as it would serve to reaffirm Korea’s strong commitment to implementing the New Northern Policy. Park’s counterparts praised the progress made so far and agreed to make renewed efforts in the prospective cooperation areas including renewable energy, smart cities and transport corridors. They also welcomed the notion of a presidential visit or virtual summitry to mark the 30th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic relations next year, and expressed hope for expansion of cultural exchanges. 

The delegation also made a stop at the cemetery where Elena Petrovna Choi, the wife of revered Korean independence activist Jae-hyung Choi, is buried, to confirm the location of the grave. A review process has begun to get the remains of the deceased returned to the Republic of Korea on the occasion of a visit by the President of the Kyrgyz Republic.

<Meetings with President, Ministers, Officials in Azerbaijan>

<Meetings with Ministers, Deputy Ministers, Officials in Georgia>

<Meetings with Ministers, Officials in the Kyrgyz Republic>

<Visit to a cemetery near Bishkek where Elena Petrovna Choi (wife of Jae-hyung Choi) lies>