Kang Kyung-wha: "Overcoming the COVID-19 Crisis and Rising Great Power Tensions through Strengthening 'Multilateralism'"

US-China Conflict Cited as Threat to Multilateralism... COVID-19 Reveals Vulnerabilities in International Solidarity
Advancing Korean Peninsula Peace Process Through ROK-US Alliance and Neighboring Countries' Cooperation... "Slow but Steady"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha stated that the COVID-19 pandemic revealed the vulnerabilities of multilateral organizations and the global governance system, marking an important moment for the world to restore multilateralism. She emphasized that active global cooperation, including health cooperation as well as economic and political solidarity, is essential to respond to potential threats to humanity like COVID-19.

In her keynote speech at the 'IFANS Global Issues Conference' held on the 31st, Minister Kang said, "The important theme of this year's conference is the 'revival of multilateralism,'" adding, "We need to inject new momentum into multilateralism." She pointed out that the global closure of borders and choice of isolation amid the COVID-19 spread weakened the solidarity necessary for the World Health Organization (WHO) to resolve the crisis.

She also noted that rising tensions among major powers threaten multilateralism, interpreted as expressing concern over the US-China conflict. While acknowledging the need for comprehensive investigation and discussion, Minister Kang explained, "What foreign policy actors are most concerned about is the escalation of tensions between major powers," adding, "The heightened tensions began with trade and have now expanded to the fields of economy, technology, military, security, and public health."

In response, she introduced the South Korean government's approach as strengthening multilateralism and cooperating for peace and shared prosperity. Minister Kang said, "The deterioration of relations among major powers is destabilizing multilateral organizations, which are essential parts of global governance," and added, "The South Korean government's approach is to strengthen multilateralism and expand cooperation with all parties toward the goals of peace and shared prosperity."

She continued, "For us, who are interdependent and vulnerable, it has become clear how urgent multilateral measures are to overcome pandemics and prepare for other potential crises," adding, "As ecological and climate change experts have warned, we must prepare for unknown new pathogens beyond COVID-19."

Regarding the recent surge in infections originating from churches in the Seoul metropolitan area, including Sarang Jeil Church, since the 15th, and the difficulties in quarantine efforts due to opposition to government measures, she also commented. Minister Kang said, "We realized that it is difficult to expect participation from those who distrust or oppose the government," explaining, "Through this experience, we are strengthening efforts to persuade stubborn non-cooperators to cooperate with government measures by mobilizing enforcement."

She emphasized that the Korean Peninsula peace process is also one of the efforts pursued by the Moon Jae-in administration amid weakening multilateralism. Minister Kang pointed out the lack of progress in reforming the UN Security Council and reaffirmed that despite ups and downs over the past three years, the South Korean government continues its efforts toward North Korean denuclearization.

She explained, "There has been a fragile peace in the form of an armistice on the Korean Peninsula for about 70 years," adding, "Complete denuclearization of North Korea is an essential part of the Korean Peninsula peace process, and the South Korean government aims to transition to permanent peace based on a formal peace agreement to replace the armistice." She further added, "Although the Korean Peninsula peace process is slow, it is steadily progressing by strengthening the foundation through a solid South Korea-US alliance and close consultations with neighboring countries."

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