Keywords of Quantum Diplomacy in the Year of the Rat... US 'Peace Alliance', China and Russia 'Exchange Cooperation'... Japan 'Adherence to Principles'

President Moon Jae-in: "Advancing the Alliance with the United States to a Higher Level... Working Together to Complete the Korean Peninsula Peace Process"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] In the new year of Gyeongja (庚子年), the South Korean government's diplomatic policy is expected to maintain a diversification approach, including the New Southern Policy and New Northern Policy, while focusing on resolving issues through bilateral diplomacy. President Moon Jae-in emphasized peace and alliance with the United States, exchange and cooperation with China and Russia, and the restoration of relations with Japan in his New Year's address.

On the 8th, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that it will concentrate all efforts on multilateral and bilateral diplomacy as outlined by President Moon in his New Year's address on the 7th. A ministry official stated, "Since the president revealed this year's policy direction in his New Year's speech, we will make every effort to align with it."

First, with the United States, the focus is expected to be on strengthening the traditional alliance in line with the continuation of the "Korean Peninsula Peace Process." President Moon said, "We will develop the alliance with the United States to a higher level and work together to complete the Korean Peninsula peace process." With North Korea-U.S. talks stalled since the "Hanoi No Deal," the intention is interpreted as expanding the scope of action by finding what can be done through inter-Korean cooperation and reestablishing a dialogue atmosphere between North Korea and the U.S.

Accordingly, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is coordinating schedules for visits to the U.S. this month by Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha and Lee Do-hoon, chief negotiator for the Korean Peninsula peace process, following the early-year visit by newly appointed Deputy Minister Kim Gun. Their visit schedules are expected to be finalized after the Korea-U.S.-Japan high-level security talks held on the 8th in Washington D.C., attended by the Blue House National Security Office chief, U.S. National Security Advisor Robert O'Brien, and Shigeru Kitamura, Director of Japan's National Security Secretariat.

With China and Russia, emphasis is likely to be placed on strengthening exchange and cooperation. As China and Russia's roles become increasingly important in advocating for the easing of North Korean sanctions within the Korean Peninsula peace process, a breakthrough is needed to completely resolve the lingering issues caused by the deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system with China. The Blue House has repeatedly mentioned the upcoming visits of Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang as part of this effort. The government also plans to further expand exchanges with Russia as a key partner in the New Northern Policy, marking the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations.

Regarding Japan, dialogue will continue with the keyword of restoring relations through adherence to principles. While President Moon described Japan as the closest neighbor in his New Year's address, he firmly stated that "if export restrictions are lifted," bilateral relations could develop more rapidly. Following this, Minister Kang met for the first time at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building with Koji Tomita, the designated Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to South Korea. However, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga reiterated Japan's unchanged stance immediately after President Moon's address, calling for "South Korea's wise response," signaling a challenging path ahead.

Meanwhile, this year will see the hosting of the ‘P4G Summit’ for green growth and the global goal 2030, and South Korea will actively engage as the chair country of MIKTA, broadening the scope of its diplomacy. President Moon explained, "We will fulfill our responsibilities as a confident middle power in international cooperation for climate change response and sustainable development."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.