Judeh meets Korean counterpart

AMMAN — Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh and South Korean Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se on Saturday discussed ways to boost cooperation between the two countries and went over the latest developments in the Middle East.

The two officials agreed to boost coordination and cooperation vis-à-vis various issues of mutual interest, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

Judeh expressed his appreciation of South Korea’s support to Jordan’s efforts led by His Majesty King Abdullah to achieve peace in the region.

He stressed the importance of intensifying international efforts to ensure the resumption of peace negotiations between the Palestinians and the Israelis, adding that the talks should lead to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state within the pre-1967 lines with East Jerusalem as its capital. 

Judeh and his Korean counterpart discussed the latest developments in Syria and the efforts of the UN special envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura, to end the crisis and the ensuing humanitarian situation through a political solution that would eventually guarantee the return of Syrian refugees to their homeland. 

In this context, Judeh highlighted the burdens borne by the Kingdom as a result of the refugee crisis and the increasing pressure on its limited resources and infrastructure, stressing that the international community should shoulder its responsibilities in this regard.

Judeh thanked South Korea for its support for the Syrian refugees, highlighting Yun’s visit to the Zaatari camp on Friday.  

The UNHCR said in a statement that the Korean minister toured Zaatari Refugee Camp in northern Jordan on Friday. The visit coincided with the distribution of the first consignment of 40 caravans, from a total contribution of some 300, to be allocated to tented refugee families over the coming weeks. 

According to the refugee agency, the contribution from South Korea, with a total value of $900,000, comes at a “crucial time” as the camp’s residents prepare for the falling winter temperatures over the coming months. 

Moreover, Judeh and Yun discussed the latest developments in Iraq and Libya, stressing the importance of dialogue and political solutions to all conflicts. 

They also discussed efforts under way to confront terrorism and radical ideologies. 

The Korean official commended Jordanian-Korean relations, especially at the economic level, pointing out that the purpose of his visit is to boost the relations between the two countries. 

He expressed South Korea’s understanding of the considerable impact of the Syrian crisis on Jordan, and the need for further international assistance.