President Moon: "Security cooperation also contributes to diplomacy... UAE as a representative case"

President Moon Jae-in is taking a commemorative photo after presenting the letter of appointment to Yoo Yeon-sang, the newly appointed Chief of Security Service (third from the right), at the Blue House on the afternoon of the 19th. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Son Sun-hee] President Moon Jae-in stated on the 19th that "'Security diplomacy,' which started from security cooperation, also contributes to expanding cooperation in various fields later," citing the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as a representative example, the Blue House revealed.

Kang Min-seok, spokesperson for the Blue House, said in a written briefing related to the appointment ceremony of Yoo Yeon-sang, the new head of the Blue House Security Office, in the afternoon, "Many foreign security agencies come to Korea for security training, receive our security techniques, and return," adding, "We are proud of the efforts and achievements of the Security Office."

According to Spokesperson Kang, the UAE Security Office has participated 11 times over several years in the "International Security Safety Training Course" established by our Security Office to learn techniques. He added that our Security Office staff are working as security instructors locally at the request of the UAE side.

President Moon emphasized the importance of 'security diplomacy,' saying, "Although not well known to the public, our security skills are at a world-class level," and "Korea provides safe security without showing an intimidating appearance, so foreign dignitaries leave with a good impression when they visit Korea."

President Moon's remarks were made during a conversation following the appointment ceremony for Yoo Yeon-sang. Yoo is the first person promoted internally to head the Security Office among those hired through the first open recruitment conducted by the Presidential Security Service in 1988. Accordingly, the Blue House unusually made the appointment ceremony public that day.

President Moon congratulated Yoo Yeon-sang, saying, "I deeply appreciate that a public recruitment hire has become the head of the Security Office through internal promotion for the first time," and "All the Security Office staff will be pleased."

He continued, "I often attended external events and interacted with the public without formality, and when traveling abroad, I tried to greet overseas Koreans who came to welcome me as closely as possible. The security personnel must have been surprised at times," adding, "In the past, security focused on the president, but now it has expanded to include citizens on the president's route, making everyone a security target. This has allowed the president to be closer, more friendly, and communicate with the people." He also evaluated the efforts of the Security Office, saying, "'Low-profile security, open security, and friendly security' require security personnel to exert two or three times the effort, but I am grateful that it has allowed closer contact with the people."

After President Moon's encouraging remarks, Yoo Yeon-sang expressed his determination, saying, "I feel a heavy sense of mission and responsibility entrusted with this important role," and "I will ensure the absolute safety of the president and the first lady." Regarding earning the title of 'the first public recruitment hire to become head of the Security Office,' he said, "The morale of the Security Office staff is high," and "We will carry out our duties without the slightest flaw."

Yoo Yeon-sang added, "Just as K-Quarantine led the world, I will responsibly provide security among the people so that 'K-Security' can be recognized in terms of security techniques."

Present at the appointment ceremony and conversation were Chief Secretary Noh Young-min, National Security Office Director Chung Eui-yong, Policy Chief Kim Sang-jo, Senior Secretary for Public Communication Yoon Do-han, and Senior Secretary for Personnel Kim Oe-sook.

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