The “reception for the Foreign Ministry’s policy advisors for 2018-2020” took place at the Foreign Ministry on September 5, with about 130 people, including Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha, other senior Foreign Ministry officials, and policy advisors, in attendance.

In her welcome remarks, Minister Kang said that diplomacy required in this era was diplomacy where the will of the people was reflected, and diplomacy that was practiced in communication with the people. She stressed that the policy advisory committee was an important channel to communicate with experts in various sectors, and thereby make sure that the opinions of the people were reflected in the course of making foreign policies.

The Minister also asked for the policy advisors’ active roles and support for efforts to strengthen the ROK’s diplomatic capabilities so that the ROK can devise foreign policies that meet the expectations of the people, and play roles that fit itself in the international community.

The policy advisors exchanged constructive views on the current issues facing the ROK’s diplomacy, the operation of the advisory committee, and the way forward for the committee.

The Foreign Ministry will continue efforts to ensure that the 127 policy advisors’ experiences and expertise are fully reflected in the policy-making process, and to that end, the Ministry will facilitate communications with the policy advisors of 18 subcommittees.

* unofficial translation