Beyond the Korean Peninsula to Asia and Europe

(unofficial translation)
※ Op-ed Article for The Korea Economic Daily (November 23)

Lim Sung-nam, First Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs

Considering their influence in international politics and the global economy today, it could be said that global stability and prosperity are supported by three key pillars: the US, Asia and Europe. Although we have become accustomed to viewing the world through the prism of US experiences, the eyes of the world are on Eurasia, a bridge between Asia and Europe.

The government of Korea, which is geopolitically situated at the eastern end of Eurasia, is paying attention to moves to enhance solidarity between Asia and Europe, as it seeks to implement  its New Northern Policy and New Southern Policy. The diplomatic stage for such movement is the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM). ASEM, officially established in 1996, brings together leaders from 53 countries in Asia and Europe to discuss common global agenda. The importance of this forum is ever-increasing.

At the 13th ASEM Foreign Ministers’ Meeting held on November 20-21 in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar, keen attention was on ways to enhance connectivity between Europe and Asia. In the retreat session, a venue for open-ended discussions, sensitive topics such as the North Korean nuclear issue, Rohingya crisis, and terrorism were discussed. Not surprisingly, the North Korean nuclear issue occupied a large part of the discussion. Most participants expressed serious concern that the North Korean nuclear issue might lead to a collapse of the nuclear nonproliferation regime as it is no longer a regional but a global security threat. Furthermore, while the participants agreed on the need to faithfully implement sanctions against North Korea, there were also calls to seek a diplomatic solution.

I took part in this meeting on behalf of Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha who was then in China to prepare for President Moon Jae-in’s visit to China next month. At the meeting, I stressed the need to tackle the North Korean nuclear issue diplomatically. I also asked the international community to support the efforts to turn the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics in February next year into an opportunity to create new conditions facilitating peace and reconciliation on the Korean Peninsula, receiving positive responses.

The consensus reached by ASEM members on the North Korean nuclear issue was endorsed in the outcome of the meeting, the Chair’s Statement. The Chair’s Statement, which was unanimously adopted by member countries, highlighted the importance of working to reduce tensions on the Korean peninsula. In particular, the initiatives of the Korean government to improve inter-Korean relations and build a lasting peace on the Korean peninsula were noted. In this sense, it could be said that the need for the Korean government to play a leading role has been acknowledged, befitting its position as a country directly involved with the issue.

At the ASEM Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, the “synergy between peace and development,” a topic which has recently been covered in international discussions, also attracted a great deal of attention. Based on past experiences on the Korean Peninsula, the Korean delegation emphasized the indivisible connectivity between peace and development and suggested addressing this issue on a continual basis in other international fora as well.

There was also a general agreement on the need to make concerted efforts to enhance connectivity between the two regions. In the context of ASEM, “connectivity” refers to bringing countries, peoples and societies together to foster deeper ties in diverse areas that include economy, political and social affairs, security and culture.

Korea has been playing a pivotal role in efforts to enhance such connectivity by leading projects related to the building of ultra high-speed communications networks and eco-friendly innovation centers for small- and medium-sized enterprises. Moreover, having hosted an ASEM Economic Ministers’ Meeting in September in Seoul and an ASEM Education Ministers’ Meeting on November 21-22, Korea has been leading discussions within ASEM.

The ASEM Foreign Ministers’ Meeting was an opportunity to see for myself that many countries in Europe and Asia are in the process of becoming close friends through such regional cooperative frameworks as the EU and ASEAN. In addition, it made me recognize the urgent need for Korea to make additional efforts to build diplomatic connection, as it faces geopolitical disadvantages.

In October next year, the ASEM Summit will be held in Brussels, the symbol of European integration and the capital city of Europe. It is high time for Korea to take a more active stance in approaching friends in Europe and Asia, who are near and yet still distant.