AUSTRIA, October 21 - To mark the 130^th anniversary of bilateral relations between Austria and Korea, Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg traveled to the Republic of Korea from 21^st to 26^th October, 2022. The itinerary included meetings with Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo and Foreign Minister Park Jin; discussions about the security situation in the region; a visit to the demilitarised zone; company tours; and the opening of an exhibition of works from the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna.

Bilateral relations between Austria and the Republic of Korea have become much more significant just in the past year, when the relations were elevated to the level of a strategic partnership. The countries also collaborated well on fighting the pandemic. During the anniversary year of their bilateral relations, Foreign Minister Schallenberg plans to take further steps to open doors for business and the cultural sector.

Despite the great distance between them, Austria and the Republic of Korea have the best circumstances for a close relationship. I am very pleased to create further connections between our two nations on this trip, and to bring the countries a little bit closer together,

said Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg before the trip.  

His talks with Prime Minister Han Duck-soo and Foreign Minister Park Jin will focus on the effects of the Russian war of aggression as well as the security situation on the Korean peninsula, in light of recent missile tests by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. Foreign Minister Schallenberg had strongly condemned the missile tests even before the start of his trip. Furthermore, the political talks will explore opportunities for stronger economic and political collaboration between the two countries.

The Indo-Pacific is in upheaval. In this region, the cards are all being reshuffled. How we respond to China’s rise has a direct effect on Austria as well. Against that background, it is important to stay in conversation with the partners who share our values. The Republic of Korea is one such partner,

said the Austrian Foreign Minister, explaining the significance of the political talks with Korean government representatives.

On Tuesday, to gain a better picture of the security situation, Foreign Minister Schallenberg also visited the demilitarised zone that separates the Republic of Korea from the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. The Austrian delegation received a briefing from the Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission. Meetings also took place with leading Korean security experts.

The trip culminated in the opening of the exhibition “Collecting the World – Six Centuries of Beauty in the Habsburg Empire” at the Korean National Museum, consisting of 100 masterpieces from the Kunsthistorisches Museum. This is the third time that the Viennese museum exhibits some of its works in the Republic of Korea.

The trip also included a meeting with former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon at the Global Green Growth Initiative on the topic of climate and development targets, as well as events for the global economic initiative ReFocus Austria.