On March 27, Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) issued several press releases related to South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun’s visit to France to attend the G7 Foreign Ministers' Meeting. Minister Cho conducted a full day of intensive bilateral diplomacy on Thursday, March 26, holding back-to-back meetings with his counterparts from Germany, France, Canada, India, and Brazil, as well as with EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas and U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Allison Hooker. Across all seven engagements, recurring themes included tensions in the Hormuz Strait, the situations in the Middle East and Ukraine, and the importance of maintaining close coordination amid growing global uncertainty.

Korea–Germany

Minister Cho met with German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul to exchange views on bilateral relations and regional affairs. Both ministers affirmed that the two countries are important partners sharing common values and agreed to deepen practical cooperation across all sectors. Minister Cho briefed his German counterpart on Seoul's efforts to pursue dialogue and diplomacy in support of Korean Peninsula stability and denuclearization, and requested Germany's continued attention and support. Minister Wadephul expressed appreciation for the Korean government's efforts to reduce tensions on the Peninsula and pledged Germany's contribution to building lasting peace there.

Korea–EU

Minister Cho met with EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas to discuss Korea–EU relations and major regional and global issues. Both sides assessed the steady development of the Korea–EU strategic partnership and agreed to continue working toward tangible results across areas including the Free Trade Agreement and security and defense partnerships. They also exchanged views on the situations in the Middle East and Ukraine, sharing deep concern over the trajectory of Middle East developments and agreeing to maintain close communication in support of economic stability.

Korea–France

Minister Cho sat down with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot to discuss bilateral relations and key regional and global issues. Both sides noted the active high-level exchanges between Seoul and Paris and agreed to continue close consultations to ensure the success of French President Emmanuel Macron's upcoming state visit to Korea in April. On regional affairs, the two ministers shared grave concern over the unfolding situation in the Middle East and its potential spillover effects, and agreed to cooperate closely to ensure maritime security in the region.

Korea–United States

Minister Cho met with U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Allison Hooker, who is attending the G7 as a senior U.S. representative. The two officials exchanged views on recent Middle East and regional developments, implementation of the Korea–U.S. Joint Fact Sheet (JFS) from the bilateral summit, and other pending issues on the bilateral agenda. Minister Cho expressed serious concern about the situation in the Hormuz Strait, stressing the urgent need for de-escalatory measures to guarantee the safe passage of all vessels — including Korean ships — and to normalize global energy and logistics supply chains. Deputy Secretary Hooker expressed agreement and praised South Korea's contributions to international efforts to secure free and safe navigation, including through its participation in a joint statement on Hormuz Strait security. Both sides also reviewed progress on implementation of the special investment law recently passed by the National Assembly and agreed to move quickly toward follow-on working-level consultations on the security components of the JFS. The two sides reaffirmed the importance of maintaining a strong Korea–U.S. alliance and combined defense posture amid ongoing uncertainties, expressing particular hope for a successful outcome from President Trump's scheduled May visit.

Korea–Canada

Minister Cho held talks with Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand — their first meeting since the Korea–Canada 2+2 Foreign and Defense Ministers' Meeting in February — to review follow-up actions from that session and exchange views on security and defense cooperation, substantive economic and technology cooperation, and international affairs. Minister Cho noted that Korea's submarine ROKS Dosan Ahn Chang-ho had departed for Canada on March 25 for a two-month voyage, expressing hope that the deployment would showcase the capabilities of Korea's submarine program. Both ministers assessed that bilateral cooperation in security and technology has been progressing steadily through a series of high-level exchanges. Minister Anand introduced Canada's efforts to establish a Defence, Security and Resilience Bank (DSRB) and requested Korea's continued interest and participation. The Hormuz Strait situation and related energy supply concerns were also on the agenda, with both sides agreeing to support international efforts to ensure safe and free passage in the strait.

Korea–India

Minister Cho held his third bilateral meeting with Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar since taking office, continuing what both sides described as an exceptionally active track of high-level engagement — including a vice-ministerial policy consultation in February, a foreign ministers' phone call in March, and a vice-foreign ministers' meeting also in March. Minister Cho expressed hope that the two countries would continue developing their "Special Strategic Partnership" through ongoing consultations on cooperation initiatives. Minister Jaishankar said he was pleased to meet Minister Cho again following their bilateral on the sidelines of the ASEAN-related summits in Kuala Lumpur last October, and expressed commitment to elevating the bilateral relationship through sustained strategic communication and deeper defense cooperation. Both ministers agreed to continue active high-level exchanges throughout the year to deepen cooperation in trade, investment, finance, defense, science and technology, culture, education, and people-to-people exchanges. Regional and international affairs, including the Middle East, were also discussed.

Korea–Brazil

Minister Cho met with Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira to follow up on last month's state visit by Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva to Seoul, which elevated the bilateral relationship to a "Strategic Partnership." Minister Cho assessed that the visit brought the two countries closer than ever and called for expanding strategic communication and cooperation in trade, investment, and substantive areas. Minister Vieira agreed that the visit had opened a new chapter in the bilateral relationship and conveyed President Lula's hope that President Lee Jae Myung would visit Brazil at the earliest opportunity to sustain the momentum. Minister Cho emphasized the importance of concluding a Korea–MERCOSUR free trade agreement as the economic platform underpinning the strategic partnership, and urged Brazil's support in resuming negotiations promptly. Korea and Brazil first established a Comprehensive Cooperative Partnership in 2004; MERCOSUR's full membership comprises Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, and Bolivia.

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Press releases translated by AI, edited by David Kendall. All releases issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea, March 27, 2026.