Peter 'Chap' Cleere
Ceist:227. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if she has spoken with the South Korean Ambassador to Ireland since her appointment. [16915/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 3 March 2026
Ceisteanna (227)
Freagraí scríofa
Ireland enjoys a positive relationship with the Republic of Korea. The two countries have had formal diplomatic relations for 43 years. This relationship is based on regular bilateral and multilateral political engagement, strong people-to-people connections and engagement around our shared values, cultural exchange, and our strong trade and investment links.
Both Ireland and Korea are strong supporters of multilateralism. As export-driven economies with strong competencies in high tech and emerging technologies, Ireland and the Republic of Korea have a shared commitment to the international rules-based trading system, making the Republic of Korea an important partner for Ireland in the Asia Pacific. Ireland’s trade in goods with the Republic of Korea was valued at €2.7 billion in 2024 with trade in services in 2024 amounting to €4.9 billion.
In recent years, our relations with the Republic of Korea have been further enhanced within the framework of my Department’s Asia Pacific Strategy. The upcoming visit of my colleague, Minister of State Seán Canney, to the Republic of Korea in March to mark St. Patrick’s Day will serve to strengthen further the ties between Ireland and the Republic of Korea.
I have had no formal meeting with the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Ireland since my appointment as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade in November 2025. However, officials in my Department engage frequently with the Embassy of the Republic of Korea to Ireland, on a wide range of bilateral and multilateral issues. Equally Ireland's Ambassador and Embassy team in Seoul interact regularly with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Korean officials in the Republic of Korea and, as appropriate, with the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Ireland.
My Department remains committed to further developing the strong relationship between Ireland and the Republic of Korea along with deepening and strengthening our already strong bilateral ties across the range of our engagement.