[Yang Nak-gyu's Defence Club] Minister Shin Won-sik Shines with 'Necktie Military Diplomacy'

Wearing Ties Resembling Host Country Flags During Middle East Visit
Ties Customized to Each Military Branch's Characteristics Also Planned

Defense Minister Shin Won-sik's necktie is attracting attention. After taking office, Minister Shin wore specially made neckties reflecting the characteristics of each country during his first overseas trip. This has been praised as a standout example of 'necktie military diplomacy.'

A specially made necktie that Defense Minister Shin Won-sik wore during his visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Ministry of National Defense)

According to the Ministry of National Defense on the 6th, Minister Shin is visiting the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia, and Qatar sequentially from the 1st to the 7th. In the UAE, the first destination, he wore a necktie with red, green, white, and black diagonal stripes during talks with Mohamed bin Mubarak Al Mazrouei, Minister of State for Defense Affairs. The necktie resembles the UAE national flag.

On the 4th, during his visit to Saudi Arabia, he wore a necktie with a green background and a white sword, similar to the Saudi flag, while meeting with Abdullah bin Bandar Al Saud, Minister of National Guard, and Khalid bin Salman Al Saud, Minister of Defense. From the 5th to the 6th, in Qatar, he is scheduled to meet Khalid bin Mohammed Al Attiyah, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense. Minister Shin plans to wear a necktie incorporating the purple and white colors of the Qatari flag. The neckties Minister Shin wears share a common feature: they all bear the Taegeukgi (South Korean flag) and the respective national flags symbolizing the friendly relations between the countries.

Minister Shin first wore a specially made necktie at the 55th Security Consultative Meeting (SCM) between Korea and the United States last November. At the Ministry of National Defense building in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, Minister Shin and U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin wore burgundy neckties side by side to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Korea-U.S. alliance. This so-called 'Bloody Alliance Tie' was reportedly proposed by Minister Shin to Secretary Austin.

Minister Shin also ordered the special production of neckties symbolizing the Republic of Korea Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps. He plans to wear these neckties during on-site inspections and graduation ceremonies at each military academy during the Lunar New Year holiday. On the 16th of last month, at the '2024 Marine Corps Reserve Policy Briefing,' Minister Shin wore the Marine Corps' traditional red necktie.

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