Leo Varadkar becomes first Taoiseach to visit Korea's demilitarised zone 

The DMZ is a strip of land that was established to serve as a buffer zone between North Korea and South Korea

Leo Varadkar at the demilitarised zone separating South Korea from North Korea. Picture: Leo Varadkar/Twitter

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has visited the demilitarised zone (DMZ) dividing South and North Korea as part of the Team Ireland Trade Mission to the Republic of Korea.

He said the DMZ in Korea is a “sobering reminder” of the importance of multilateralism and peacekeeping.

The visit is the first time a Taoiseach has visited the DMZ and takes place before Mr Varadkar meets the President of Korea Yoon Suk Yeol to discuss security issues and the importance of peacekeeping and multilateralism in an increasingly uncertain world.

The Taoiseach’s visit to the demilitarised zone between South and North Korea is his first engagement during his visit as part of the Trade Mission. On his return to Seoul, he will meet with the heads of several Korean multinationals, other business leaders, and representatives from the Irish community.

The Taoiseach said: “The global outlook is increasingly uncertain with Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine and the conflict in the Middle East. Against this backdrop, I was keen to see at first-hand the impact of one of the longest-running frozen conflicts in the world.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has visited the demilitarised zone dividing North and South Korea. Here Mr Varadkar is inside a conference building and is technically standing in North Korea. Picture: RTÉ

“The situation at the demilitarised zone in Korea continues to have implications for security on the Korean Peninsula and the wider Asia Pacific region. This frozen conflict and the threat posed by a nuclearised North Korea continues to have serious consequences for millions of people. 

“The demilitarised zone in Korea is a sobering reminder of the importance of multilateralism and peacekeeping, Mr Varadkar said.

“This visit to the demilitarised zone comes ahead of my meeting with President Yoon, as we will discuss the importance of countries working together through international bodies like the United Nations on global issues like climate change and sustainable development. We will also discuss the global security situation, not least on the Korean Peninsula and the wider region. It is also an opportunity to strengthen bilateral relations as we celebrate 40 years of diplomatic relations between Ireland and South Korea, as likeminded counties.” 

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has visited the demilitarised zone dividing South and North Korea as part of the Team Ireland Trade Mission to the Republic of Korea.

As part of the Team Ireland Trade Mission Week, the Taoiseach has joined Trade and Enterprise Minister Simon Coveney, the Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue, and Higher Education Minister Simon Harris, who arrived in Korea earlier in the week.

On Thursday evening the Taoiseach will speak at a Team Ireland Trade Mission Reception with Irish and Korean businesses, and on Friday he will meet the leaders of several Korean multinationals to discuss further investment opportunities.

The Taoiseach and his colleagues are holding a series of meetings to open up new trade, investment and education links with the world’s 12th largest economy and the fourth largest economy in Asia.