What the Embassy does

The work we do and services we offer

• Political, Economic and Trade Access
• Trade Promotion
• Education
• Immigration
• Defence

Political, Economic and Trade Access

The Embassy’s chancery is staffed by six New Zealanders seconded from the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade together with nine staff employed locally. The Chancery’s work is focused on managing New Zealand’s political, economic and trade relations with Korea. Political objectives include promoting foreign policy cooperation with the Korean Government and protecting and expanding New Zealand’s interests in Korea through bilateral linkages. The Chancery also reports to the New Zealand Government on developments in North Korea and inter-Korean relations.

The Embassy’s economic work involves enhancing New Zealand’s economic interests in Korea and maintaining effective liaison with the Korean Government on economic issues such as APEC and Korea’s economic relations with its major trading partners.

Bilateral trade access is an important part of the Embassy’s work as Korea is New Zealand’s sixth largest export market. The Embassy liaises with relevant Korean authorities on WTO matters of mutual relevance to New Zealand and Korea. Staff at the Chancery also manages the Embassy’s public affairs and media programmes, which seeks to raise New Zealand’s profile in Korea and foster a greater understanding between peoples of the two countries.

Trade Promotion

The Embassy’s trade section is staffed by a Trade Commissioner from New Zealand Trade and Enterprise and six Korean staff. The trade section welcomes enquiries from Korean individuals and organisations that are interested in sourcing products and services from New Zealand. Those who are interested in exporting goods and services to New Zealand should contact the Korea Trade-Investment Promotions Agency (KOTRA)for more detailed information.

Education

Education New Zealand (ENZ) is the Crown Agency responsible for promoting New Zealand education to the world.

ENZ creates strategies and programmes alongside education providers, government agencies, and governments overseas that increase and broaden our international education activities – from onshore and offshore delivery of our education programmes to the sale of our education knowledge, products and consultancy skills.

Industry web: www.educationnz.govt.nz
Student web: www.newzealandeducated.com 
 

Immigration

The Immigration New Zealand (INZ) is represented by the Visa Section in New Zealand Embassy Seoul. The team is made up of 3 immigration officers who process temporary visa applications including work, student and visitor for Korean Nationals. The officers also accept temporary visa applications for foreign nationals residing in Korea (holding employment or residence status) which may be forwarded to the INZ Hong Kong branch office for processing.

Resident visa applications pertaining to Permanent Resident, Second and subsequent Resident Visa, Variation of Travel Conditions, and Family Categories are handled by the INZ Hong Kong Branch office; Business and Investor Categories are handled by the Business Migration Branch in New Zealand; and Skilled Migrant Category - Expression of Interest applications are handled by the Expression of Interest Team in New Zealand. Applicants are required to forward their applications directly to the processing offices.

For further information, please refer to the Immigration New Zealand website.

Defence

The New Zealand Defence Force office is staffed by a Defence Attaché and two Korean administrative staff. The office was established in July 1998 to provide permanent links between the armed forces of New Zealand and Korea, foster good relations between the two countries and to give administrative support to the combined defence force activities such as bilateral military visits, training and exercises. The Defence Attaché is also assigned as the Chief of the New Zealand Liaison Mission to the United Nations Command and the Military Armistice Commission at Yongsan, Seoul. The Defence Attaché in Seoul is also accredited to Tokyo.