Foreign Minister Nominee Park Jin: "Diplomacy is Solely for National Interest... Will Not Approach with Party Interests"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Park Jin, a member of the People Power Party and the first nominee for Minister of Foreign Affairs under the Yoon Suk-yeol administration, stated on the 13th that "diplomacy is solely about national interest" and that he will not approach it with partisan considerations.

In a statement released that day, Park said, "I feel a heavy sense of duty upon being nominated as Minister of Foreign Affairs during a critical time when the international situation is rapidly changing."

He added, "The diplomatic challenges facing the Yoon Suk-yeol government are numerous, including North Korea's provocations, US-China conflicts, the Ukraine crisis, global supply chains, economic security issues, the COVID-19 pandemic, and climate change," and said, "This is a grave period when the importance of diplomacy is higher than ever, which makes me feel an even greater responsibility."

He continued, "It has long been my conviction that diplomatic and security issues should not be approached with partisan interests," and said, "Starting as a Ministry of Foreign Affairs officer in 1977, directly experiencing diplomacy as a presidential secretary in the civilian government’s Blue House, serving as chairman of the National Assembly’s Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee, and conducting bipartisan parliamentary diplomacy, this conviction has never changed."

Park said, "I will humbly approach the National Assembly hearing process with the attitude that 'diplomacy is only about national interest,'" and added, "During the upcoming hearing, I will sincerely discuss the Yoon Suk-yeol administration’s diplomatic national agenda, current issues, and diplomatic vision."

Having returned on the 11th after a 7-night, 8-day visit to the United States, he was nominated as Minister of Foreign Affairs while in quarantine due to a COVID-19 diagnosis. Park said, "Due to self-quarantine after testing positive for COVID-19 following the US policy consultation delegation visit, I regret that I could not personally greet the public and the media."

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