By Kim Ji-eun

Minister of Foreign Affairs Park Jin, who is on a tour of Africa, held a phone call with U.S. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken in Ethiopia on August 9 (local time) to discuss major issues, including preparations for the Korea-U.S.-Japan summit.

The two ministers agreed that the Korea-U.S.-Japan summit, which will be held at Camp David on Aug. 18 will be a historical turning point for trilateral cooperation, and agreed that Seoul and Washington will continue to cooperate closely to hold a successful summit. 

Minister Park said, "We hope that the summit will strengthen security cooperation to cope with North Korea's increasing nuclear and missile threats and expand the scope of Korea, U.S. and Japan cooperation to economic security, core and advanced technologies, human exchanges, and regional and global issues."

They also discussed the 2023 Saemangeum World Scout Jamboree, and Minister Park said he hoped the U.S. Scout delegation would stay in Korea for the rest of his stay, have a good time and make good memories.