1. A meeting of provincial government officials in charge of international relations took place at the Foreign Ministry on July 29. Director-General for Cultural Affairs Choi Young-sam of the Foreign Ministry presided over the meeting to seek ways to create synergistic effect to the extent possible from close cooperation between the central and provincial governments on public diplomacy.

2. At the meeting, Director-General Choi explained the main content of the “public diplomacy act,” set to enter into force on August 4, and its enforcement ordinance. He voiced hope that the act, when in force, will help the Foreign Ministry and the provincial governments work more closely together on public diplomacy, including in the course of provincial governments establishing and implementing relevant plans.

3. The officials from provincial governments recognized the need to conduct exchanges with foreign countries in a way that goes in line with the goals and direction of Republic of Korea’s foreign policy; shared with one another the progress in their international relations, good cases of public diplomacy activities, and key international conferences that they are planning to hold or attend; and asked the central government agencies, including the Foreign Ministry, to render assistance to them with their efforts to promote events.

4. Earlier in the day, Director-General Choi hosted a luncheon for the provincial government officials and diplomats assigned to overseas missions for the first time.

° The luncheon carried significance as an opportunity for the Foreign Ministry and provincial governments to build a new cooperative network to seek ways to internationalize provincial governments and vitalize regional economy.

5. Pursuant to the public diplomacy act to be brought into force shortly, the Foreign Ministry will increase efforts in various fields in order to build the capacity of the provincial governments to internationalize, vitalize regional economy and expand public diplomacy activities.


* unofficial translation