Ministry of National Defense Republic of Korea

Marking the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, the two countries hold vice defense ministers’ talks

Two sides agree to cooperate on the resumption of maritime patrol aircraft exercises

In the afternoon of March 28, Vice Minister of National Defense Park Jae-min held talks with his New Zealand counterpart Andrew Bridgman, who was visiting Korea to mark the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Korea (ROK) and New Zealand, in which they discussed the security situation in the region and a plan for defense cooperation between the two countries.

Park made his assessment that the two countries have improved their amicable relations in various areas since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1962, as traditional allies since the Korean War. Significantly, he said that the two sides hoped to closely cooperate in order to further develop bilateral cooperation in the areas of national defense and defense industry.

Responding to Park, Bridgman said “I hope that this visit to Korea will serve as momentum to expand our bilateral cooperation in the areas of national defense and defense industry, following the phone talks we held in July 2020 to mark the transfer of New Zealand Navy’s largest combat support ship, ‘Aotearoa (built by Hyundai Heavy Industries),’ to New Zealand.”

The two vice ministers also agreed to cooperate on resuming the maritime patrol aircraft exercises between the ROK and New Zealand (ROK-KIWI Exercise), which have been stopped since 2018, once the COVID-19 situation stabilizes. The ROK-KIWI Exercise has been routinely conducted between the naval forces of the two countries since 1997.

By Chae-Mu, Im <lims86@dema.mil.kr >

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The two vice ministers also exchanged their opinions on North Korea’s launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). Bridgman asked for an explanation of the situation on the Korean Peninsula, including North Korea’s latest launch of an ICBM, and Park explained that our government strongly condemns North Korea’s launch of an ICBM, as it violates the United Nations Security Council resolution.

“New Zealand is also keeping tabs on the recent situation on the Korean Peninsula. New Zealand will continue to strive to build peace on the Korean Peninsula by faithfully implementing the UN sanctions against North Korea,” Bridgman replied.