열린장관실

Remarks by H.E. Yun Byung-se
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Korea

Diplomatic Corps Luncheon
July 15, 2013

Ambassador Vitali Fen, Dean of Diplomatic Corps in Korea,
and Your Excellencies,

It is very good to see you.  There is a saying in Korea, “마음은 굴뚝같다” meaning, “even though the heart hopes for it, the body just couldn’t follow.”

It’s been a little over four months since I took on this responsibility as the Foreign Minister, and all that time, my heart had hoped to meet all of you like this.  Now that we are finally gathered here for this luncheon, I feel much relieved. 

Let me express my heartfelt gratitude to Ambassador Fen for his efforts to organize this luncheon and to Your Excellencies for your warm welcome.

As you can imagine, I feel at home now as if I were among old friends. Having spent much of my 33 year-long diplomatic life abroad, I feel natural camaraderie with you, the members of Diplomatic Corps in Korea, as we share a common bond.

Excellencies,

Since taking this office, I’ve delivered policy speeches on numerous occasions. So today, I would like to say a few words, somewhat philosophical thoughts on the subject of “happiness” followed by the policy that flows from it.  Yes, this was the subject of numerous essays by Sir Bertrand Russell many decades ago.  What I would like to address today is how the Park Geun-hye Government’s concept of “happiness” is translated into its foreign policy.

Over the past century, Korea experienced a turbulent period of foreign invasion, national division and war, and South-North confrontation. Despite all this, Korea succeeded in achieving industrialization and democracy in a short span of time after the Korean War. This is often referred to as the "Miracle on the Han River."

But in the wake of rapid development over the last half-century, serious discussions on the appropriate direction of the country and the society have been underway in Korea. Fundamental questions have been raised on whether or not these great advances in the development of the nation, i.e., fruits of growth, have fully translated into the enhanced happiness of its people.  In other words, what is the use of growth, if individual citizens cannot entertain a hope that his or her modest dreams will come true in the future. The issue of qualitative growth, not quantitative, surfaced.  In the international community, a seemingly similar problem of economic imbalance – the so-called North-South divide – has been raised for some decades.  We have been wrestling with the effect of problems of poverty, under-development, and polarization through UN and other initiatives including MDGs.

The Park Geun-hye Government's vision of “happiness” is a reflection of this national and international debate.  As an answer to these questions, the Park Geun-hye Government is moving away from the previously state-centered policy-making process and moving toward people-centered policy-making process.  This means putting people first in all government’s affairs, whether they are at home or abroad.  This means those members of our society who are in need of socio-economic help will be looked after, and will be given an opportunity to realize their hopes and dreams.  It coincides with the paradigm shift taking place across the world that places high emphasis on the wider concept of human security.

The Park Geun-hye Government's emphasis on the people, which marks a significant departure from the previous state-centered policy, transcends the prejudicial nationalistic concept. It seeks not only the happiness of the Korean people, but the happiness of people all over the world.

As you are aware, this year marks the 60th anniversary of the Korean Armistice Agreement. As Korea was fighting for its very existence during the Korean War, the international community came to the aid of a little known country, in defense of liberty and democracy.  After the War, Korea sought development through engaging the outside world and grew into a member of G-20. Today, Korea has diplomatic ties with almost 190 countries all over the world. What we know as Korea today could not have existed if it were not for the help of friends in the international community.

This is a key reason behind the vision of this Government, the vision that seeks mutual prosperity along with the international community.  The "second miracle on the Han River" that this Government is seeking is a cooperative development with its neighbors in the global village.  Korea will never forget the past help of the international community, and will not turn away from those who need our help today.

Excellencies,

The Park Geun-hye administration intends to achieve this foreign policy vision through what we call "Trustpolitik." Trustpolitik is the objective as well as the modus operandi of Korea's foreign policy. It is based on the assumption that whether among individuals or governments, within a nation or in the international community, the start of a sincere relationship is trust. Moreover, it seeks to build an infrastructure of trust among governments and leaders, and to work together towards common goals.

Trustpolitik is not biased subjectivism that ignores realpolitik, or naïve romanticism. Rather, it is a realistic assessment based on Korea's unique historical background and experience, and the clear recognition of the realities of the Korean peninsula and Northeast Asia.

It derives from the historical observation that in any relationship among governments or in the process of forming a community, the sustainability of cooperation has always coincided with the level of trust.  Having recognized this, trust is an asset for cooperation, a public infrastructure, and an indispensable element to realize genuine peace. Peace without trust is but a bogus peace that is fragile. 

Excellencies,

Building on the two pillars of “happiness of the people” and trustpolitik, the Park Geun-hye Government seeks to advance the trust-building process on the Korean Peninsula.  The goal of this process is to establish sustainable peace on the Korean peninsula and eventually lay a foundation for peaceful reunification. 

In order to start building trust between the two Koreas, it is important to respect an agreement, no matter how small, and whether it is inter-Korean or international. The Park Geun-hye Government will continue its efforts to develop inter-Korean relations in such manner.  It also seeks to promote change within North Korea along with the international community. Although it is most important for North Korea to make the right decision to walk the path toward genuine change, it is also necessary for the international community to create an environment that North Korea has no other option but to change.

This process is composed of two parts.  One is to safeguard peace based on a strong deterrent, and the other is to build peace on the Korean Peninsula and the region.

As you are well aware, the North Korean provocations especially over the last year – launching long range missiles and conducting nuclear test in an attempt to advance its WMD capability – pose a serious threat to the peace and security of the international community.

However, faced with such threats, diplomatic corps in Korea and Korea’s friends all over the world that you represent have shown unwavering trust and support for Korea. In particular, through the UN Security Council resolutions, joint statements from the G8 and ASEAN summits, and most recently the final statement released at the conclusion of ARF, the international community showed an unprecedented level of unity in condemning North Korea and urging it to make the necessary decision to change.

Lately, North Korea has made approaches to hold talks with relevant parties.  However, this sudden about face to talk, while continuing the efforts to advance its nuclear and missile capability raises doubts about its sincerity.  While there is no mention of any specific measures for denuclearization, North Korea is simply reiterating its list of unrealistic demands.

Our position is clear.  We, along with the international community, strongly adhere to maintaining the strong deterrent against North Korea and will not tolerate North Korea’s nuclear development. To make substantial progress on denuclearization, necessary pre-steps must be taken in advance. We simply cannot allow the repetition of the vicious cycle that begins with North Korea’s provocations, followed by compensation, and leading to another provocation. North Korea has already used such tactics in the past.

Our effort to make peace continues even at this moment. If North Korea makes the right choice, Korea and the international community will provide the necessary assistance. However, we will not forsake our principle for a short-term political benefit, as there is no room in trustpolitik for rash conclusion of convenience. We urge North Korea to forsake the path of confrontation and isolation and make the right choice toward peace and prosperity.

Excellencies,

Turning your eyes away from the Korean peninsula to the wider East Asia region, you will see that in many parts, there lies growing mistrust between governments over historical, maritime and other related issues. This is a reflection of what I call "the Asia Paradox," the mismatch between growing economic interdependence on the one hand, and backward political and security cooperation on the other.

For an era of genuine peace and prosperity to take root in Asia, it is essential to make efforts toward a common goal of building a structure of trust and cooperation.

Against this backdrop, President Park Geun-hye proposed the launch of the Northeast Asia Peace and Cooperation initiative. It seeks first to begin accumulating small but significant interactions in non-traditional, soft cooperative security issues such as environment, disaster relief, nuclear power safety, counter-terrorism so that they turn into habits of cooperation among nations in Northeast Asia.  Eventually these habits of cooperation must be nurtured into building of trust that will usher in an era of peaceful and cooperative Asia.

I believe that the time is ripe for such an initiative. As the proponent of such an initiative, Korea is promoting a tailored approach that fits the circumstances, taking into account the shortcomings of similar experiments in the past.

Therefore, it will proceed at a pace that all can be comfortable with, and adhere to the principle of open-participation for all stake-holders. Furthermore, this initiative is not intended to replace existing frameworks for cooperation, including the Six-Party Talks.

Excellencies,

President Park Geun-hye cherishes her relationship with all of you here today. That is why she has met with more than 60 ambassadors, representing Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Central and South America, and Africa, since her election. She has consulted with you about strengthening the friendly, cooperative relationships and how to further our cooperation in the international arena.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is also making active efforts to deepen and develop the cooperative relationship with each region in the world. I myself have met with many of you here today.  I met with my counterparts in Southeast Asia, Latin America, and Africa, on occasions of the Africa Day in May, FEALAC in June, ASEAN Foreign Ministers meeting in July.  If such occasion did not present itself, I also made use of telephone diplomacy to maintain line of communication to resolve difficult issues.  I hope this contributed to begin building trust.

Korea aims to move forward by taking pertinent responsibility and role regarding various global agendas as a trusted nation in the international society, and contribute to the wellbeing of humankind. As Korea received the international community’s help during its difficult times, Korea is now ready to contribute to the peace and development of the international community, through a humble yet active diplomacy.

Korea is a member of United Nations Security Council, and our troops are participating in a wide range of peacekeeping operations in Lebanon, Afghanistan, Sudan, among others. As the chair country of the 2010 G20 Summit, 2011 High Level Forum on Aid Effectiveness, and 2012 Nuclear Security Summit, Korea has been contributing to the building of global governance in the fields of major issues of the international society. In October of this year, the Seoul Conference on Cyberspace 2013 will be held, in which issues related to the implications of cyberspace on economy, society, safety, crime, and security will be discussed, through which we anticipate that Korea will once again make meaningful contribution in resolving difficult problems facing the international community today.

Excellencies,

There is an old saying, “A friend’s eye is a good mirror of oneself.” If ambassadors present here, the good friends of Korea, see Korea with affection and trust, and if Korea in turn sees itself through that mirror and make efforts to better itself, I am sure that our friendship will benefit greatly.

With this in mind, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is striving to support you and your embassy staffs’ work and daily lives here in Korea.  As a part of such effort, the Ministry built a system called “Diplonet”, which provides various support online, such as those related to the issuance of diplomatic ID, motor vehicle registration, tax exemption, and many other services for diplomats residing here in Korea.

Furthermore, I anticipate seeing you again on August 3, at the 대관령 International Music Festival to be held in 평창 강원도. It will be the site of the 2018 Winter Olympics as well as a beautiful vacation spot in Korea. I hope that you will join me for a weekend of beautiful music under a cool breeze of summer mountain.

I will conclude my remarks on the Park Geun-hye Government’s thoughts on happiness by asking you to join us in our effort to spread the virus of happiness and trust around the world over the next 5 years. 

On a concluding note, let’s build together “a bridge of happiness and trust over the troubled water.”  Thank you.