열린장관실

한-미동맹 국제컨퍼런스 기조연설문

- East Asia's New Security Order
and the Direction for Korea's Diplomacy -

(Introduction)

  I would like to begin by thanking the East Asia Institute for inviting me to the 5th ROK-US Alliance International Conference.

  As we reflect on the successful outcomes of the recent ROK-US summit meeting, I believe it is an opportune time for us to give thought to the changes in the international order and Korea's diplomacy.

(Changes in the international order in the 21st century) 
 
 The international order of the 21st century is undergoing rapid change.

 Above all, the so-called ‘rise of the rest’ such as China and India, is ushering in multi-polarity in the international order.

 Thus, we now live in an era of a complex order, where "power is found in many hands and in many places," as stated by Dr. Haas, President of the Council on Foreign Relations.
 
 The emergence of this complex order may mainly be attributed to two factors. One is the redistribution of power as developing countries have risen in status. And the other is the formation of global networks through globalization and the information revolution, which has brought the world closer together, as one village, and has greatly increased the interdependence between countries. 

 As a result, the international community is no longer zero-sum in nature as it was during the Cold War era.

 This is reflected in various forms of multilateral governance regimes coping with such transnational issues as economic crises, terrorism, poverty and climate change. The G20 Summit is a good example. And the concerted efforts by the international community in addressing the European financial crisis is another. In the process of addressing such transnational issues, the complex order of the 21st century will further gain pace.

  As the rise of China has greatly contributed to such a transition in the international order, China has set the promotion of peaceful development as one of its diplomatic strategies. It aims to build an "Overall Xiaokang Society" by 2020 and emphasizes that it is exerting diplomatic efforts to create a peaceful and stable international environment so as to concentrate on its domestic development.

  Even with the rise of Chinese influence, many experts expect that the US and China will by and large maintain the course of cooperative engagement.

  The reason is that the interests of the US and China are so deeply intertwined that there is considerable resilience in their relations.

  Furthermore, it is impossible to resolve global issues such as the stabilization of international finance or tackling climate change and terrorism without cooperation between the US and China.

  In the same vein, US State Secretary Hillary Clinton clearly underlined this when she stated in Hawaii, prior to her visit to Asia last October, that it is not in anyone's interest for the US and China to see each other as adversaries from a zero-sum perspective.

(Direction for Korea's Diplomacy)

  This new security environment prompts Korea to embrace a proactive diplomatic strategy. That is why we seek to develop the traditional ROK-US alliance into a multi-dimensional alliance, while deepening the strategic cooperative partnership with China. This is based on our belief that our multi-dimensional alliance with the US and strategic cooperative partnership with China can both thrive.

【Developing the ROK-US alliance into a multi-dimensional strategic alliance】

  As for Korea's relations with the US, President Lee's recent state visit was an excellent testimony to the achievements in the ROK-US alliance, which is believed to be at their best level ever, and laid a pivotal cornerstone for the multi-dimensional strategic alliance.

  The US Congress approved the KOR-US FTA during President Lee’s state visit and President Obama offered exceptional protocol and hospitality as demonstrated by the phenomenal private dinner for President Lee and the joint visit to Detroit.

  Another notable event was the situation briefing on North Korea that President Lee received at the Pentagon, with the Secretary of Defense, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and heads of each branch of the military in attendance.

  As has been the case so far, the ROK-US Alliance continues to serve as a vital pillar to deter North Korea and to lay a foundation for unification. With the adoption of the ‘Joint Vision for the ROK-U.S. Alliance’ in June, 2009, both countries have proactively responded to the changing security environment in Northeast Asia.

  The two countries have diligently taken actions for a new military command structure by adjusting the date of the transfer of wartime Operational Control (OPCON) to December 2015 and adopting the ‘Strategic Alliance 2015’.

  The first ROK-U.S. Foreign and Defense Ministers' Meeting, which was held in July 2010, affirmed the US’s full commitment to the security of the Republic of Korea and a strong joint defense posture.

  And both countries share the basic values of freedom, human rights, democracy, and the market economy and work together for the development of those values. The ROK and US have been playing a leading role in promoting democracy in such forums as the Community of Democracies.

  Moreover, the ROK-US alliance shares strategic interests all over the world and we are working together to address challenges at the national, regional, and global levels. Our two countries are working together in various places around the globe, such as Afghanistan, Iraq, Lebanon, and Haiti. The US’s full support for the hosting of the 2012 Nuclear Summit in Seoul also serves as a demonstration of the depth of the strategic cooperation between the two countries.

  And, with the approval of the KOR-US FTA in the US, both countries have added an "economic alliance" to the existing ROK-US security alliance. Thus, successfully elevating this alliance to a multi-dimensional one.

【Developing the Korea-China Strategic Cooperative Partnership】

 With regard to China, Korea's diplomacy aims to develop Korea-China relations in harmony with the ROK-US alliance because Korea-China relations are important not only for the achievement of peace, stability and prosperity in Northeast Asia, but also for the unification of the Korean Peninsula.

   As such, the Lee Myung-bak administration has stepped up engagement in high-level meetings with China. Cooperation in the defense field is gaining momentum, as shown with the holding of the 8th Defense Ministerial Talks last July. 
 
  In 2008, Korea and China upgraded their relations to a 'Strategic Cooperative Partnership'. Since then the two countries have engaged in discussions and cooperation not only on bilateral matters, but also on regional and international issues, working together to contribute to world peace and development.
 
  In particular, we have been able to engage in more open discussions on North Korean issues with China. This marks a stark departure from the past, when China had been reluctant to discuss such issues with the ROK.

  Next year, we will celebrate the 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties with China. Building upon the friendly relations that Korea and China have fostered, we will continually strive to further our Strategic and Cooperative Partnership.

【Cooperation between Korea, the U.S, and China to resolve the North Korea nuclear issue】

  Concerning the North Korean nuclear issue, North Korea has yet to implement the agreements reached through the Six-Party Talks. Rather, last November, North Korea revealed its uranium enrichment facility which constitutes an alternate route to developing nuclear weapons. Regarding the nuclear issue, many years of experience with North Korea tells us that it is imperative to set the right conditions before resuming negotiations. On this point, there is no daylight between Seoul and Washington. And in this light, the ROK-US alliance is at the center of our efforts.

  As part of such efforts, two rounds of inter-Korean talks and one round of US-DPRK talks have been held. The second round of US-DPRK talks are to be held in Geneva next week. Seoul and Washington will keep urging North Korea to demonstrate through specific actions that it has true intentions to abandon its nuclear program. In the process, we are pursuing a comprehensive and fundamental solution based on the Grand Bargain Initiative, which encompasses irreversible denuclearization measures by North Korea for the complete dismantlement of its nuclear program and corresponding measures by the other five parties.

  At the same time, it is clear that unless the North Korean nuclear issue is completely resolved, it is impossible to establish true peace and stability in the region. As such, Beijing is actively making efforts to resolve the issue together with Seoul and Washington.

  And as Korea and China intimately engage in strategic communications on key security issues like the North Korean nuclear issue through exchanges of visits by high-level officials, our Strategic Partnership will grow deeper and deeper.

(Korea's New Diplomatic strategy : Complex Diplomacy) 

  In the current international landscape, non-government actors such as business, civil society and individuals are  assuming greater importance on the global stage. And the agenda is diversifying to encompass such issues as terrorism, environment, and climate change, among others.

  Accordingly, there is a need for fundamental change in how we conduct diplomacy. It is in this light that we envision a new over-arching diplomatic strategy for the 21st century, as the US has introduced the QDDR.

  With this new strategy, we will be able to expand our diplomatic horizons to go one step closer to realizing our vision of a "Global Korea". 

(Closing)

  I would like to bring my remarks to a close by saying that networks are emerging as a key element in the diplomacy of the 21st century. Achieving the goal of a global Korea will also depend on how effectively we can build networks of cooperation with countries around the world.

  In this regard, I believe that this meeting is indeed of great value. I hope that the 'ROK-U.S. Alliance International Conference' will continue to play a valuable role in fostering deeper ties of friendship between the participants and, more broadly, in contributing to peace and stability in East Asia.

  Thank you for your kind attention.   /END/