Photo: VCG

WELLINGTON, Oct. 25 (Xinhua) -- New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters said on Friday he will travel to South Korea and Japan next week.

In South Korea, Peters will have a bilateral meeting with his counterpart Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha.

Peters will also deliver a speech on New Zealand's relationship with South Korea and opportunities for partnering in the Pacific at Yonsei University's new Centre for Oceania Studies.

In Japan, Peters will meet with Deputy Prime Minister Taro Aso, newly appointed Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi, and Defence Minister Taro Kono, alongside a number of other bilateral calls.

Peters will also formally continue a 50-year tradition by gifting a white horse, named Komaru, to the Toshogu Nikko shrine and participate in Rugby World Cup promotional events, that will also strengthen the warm friendship and people-to-people links between Japan and New Zealand.

Peters will also meet with Japanese and Pacific representatives to discuss Pacific development priorities.

"Discussions on this trip are expected to cover a range of issues, spanning New Zealand's warm bilateral relations with both countries, to the challenges facing our Pacific neighbors and areas for cooperation, and a range of regional security issues, including efforts in support of establishing peace and security on the Korean Peninsula," Peters said.

Peters will be in South Korea on Oct. 28-29, and Japan on Oct. 30 to Nov. 2.