Official Visit of Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan to Seoul, the Republic of Korea, 27 to 28 May 2026

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28 May 2026

Official Visit of Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan to Seoul, the Republic of Korea, 27 to 28 May 2026

Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan made an official visit to the Republic of Korea (ROK) from 27 to 28 May 2026.

Minister Balakrishnan met with and was hosted to breakfast by ROK Foreign Minister Cho Hyun. The Ministers reaffirmed the strong and multi-faceted bilateral relationship between Singapore and the ROK. They welcomed the progress in implementing the Singapore-ROK Strategic Partnership and looked forward to the convening of the inaugural Joint Steering Committee between the two Foreign Ministries in 2026 and the expeditious conclusion of Korea-Singapore Free Trade Agreement upgrade negotiations.

The Ministers agreed on the importance of deepening cooperation between ASEAN and the ROK. Minister Balakrishnan noted that Singapore, as coordinator for ASEAN-ROK economic relations, looked forward to working closely with the ROK on the upgrade of the ASEAN-Korea Free Trade Area (AKFTA).

Minister Balakrishnan had separate engagements with Director of National Security Wi Sung Lac, Minister of Unification Chung Dong Young, and National Assembly Member and Chairperson of the ROK-Singapore Parliamentary Friendship Group Lee Un Ju.

Minister Balakrishnan had wide-ranging discussions on regional and international developments in his meetings, including on the Middle East, US-China relations, developments in Northeast Asia, and the situation on the Korean Peninsula. On the Middle East, Minister Balakrishnan and his counterparts reaffirmed the importance of international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the UN Charter, as well as the unimpeded right of transit passage through Straits Used for International Navigation. They also emphasised the importance of the resumption of maritime traffic flows through the Strait of Hormuz.

Minister Balakrishnan highlighted the importance for Singapore and the ROK, as like-minded trade-dependent countries, to work together to uphold free trade, international law, and the rules-based multilateral order. Minister Balakrishnan conveyed Singapore's support for constructive engagement and dialogue amongst all the parties involved in order to promote peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and in the broader region.

Minister Balakrishnan will depart for Singapore today.

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

SINGAPORE

28 MAY 2026