By Ron Chen, Correspondent ASEAN Region
The government of the Republic of Korea has decided to extend 300,000 US dollars in humanitarian assistance to the Republic of the Sudan, which has been massively affected by floods from heavy rains that have continued since mid July.
The assistance consists of provision of relief supplies, such as water purification tablets and blankets, and support for overall emergency relief operations, including offering food, drinking water and shelter through the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN OCHA). The assistance is expected to help bring stability to lives of residents affected by the floods.
Aside from the assistance over the floods, the ROK government expressed support for the efforts of the Transitional Government of Sudan for democratization and economic reform, including the willingness to provide assistance worth 7.5 million U.S. dollars in 2020 to support Sudan’s COVID-19 response and social and economic development at the Sudan Partnership Conference in June which Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Lee Taeho attended.
As a responsible member of the international community, the ROK government will continue to extend humanitarian assistance to join the efforts to overcome damage by countries and people affected by natural disasters. Minister of Foreign Affairs Holds Telephone Conversation with Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Champagne
Minister of Foreign Affairs Kang, Kyung-wha spoke over the phone with Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs François-Philippe Champagne on the morning of September 11 (Korea Standard Time), and discussed cooperation on COVID-19 response and ways to work together in the multilateral arena.
The two Ministers agreed that the Republic of Korea and Canada, like-minded countries sharing values and principles on the global stage, will work more closely together both at the bilateral and multilateral levels in responding to COVID-19.
Minister Champagne noted that the ROK’s COVID-19 response is being recognized as an exemplary model for the international community. Minister Kang said that amid the prolonged COVID-19 situation, the international community should remain vigilant and patient in its response to the situation.
In addition, the two Ministers assessed that with this year marking the 5th anniversary of the entry into force of the ROK-Canada FTA, bilateral trade and economic cooperation have been steadily expanding, and expressed hope that companies of the two countries would increase cooperation in areas related to the Fourth Industrial Revolution, including artificial intelligence (AI).
In the phone conversation, Minister Kang requested Canada’s support for Minister for Trade Yoo Myung-hee, a candidate for the World Trade Organization (WTO) Director-General.
Minister Kang said that Trade Minister Yoo with expertise and leadership in international trade will play a bridging role between developed and developing countries as well as build a good cooperative relationship with Canada.
Minister Kang expressed appreciation for Canada’s support for the Korean Peninsula peace process. Minister Champagne hoped that the establishment of permanent peace on the Korean Peninsula would be achieved as early as possible, and expressed Canada’s steadfast support.
The phone conversation was held at the request of the Canadian side. The ROK and Canada have been in close communication on COVID-19 response and a range of other issues at various levels, including between the leaders.
