1. In 2009, the Foreign Ministry inaugurated a program to select “Prominent Diplomatic Figures in 
Korean History” with an aim to commemorate the life and achievements of a historic figure who made 
big contributions to diplomacy, and chose Seo Hee, a scholar during the early Goryeo Dynasty.

   ㅇ The newly launched program to select “Prominent Diplomatic Figures in Korean History” is to 
help people take more pride in our diplomacy by reexamining cases where a historic figure promoted 
national interest at the forefront of diplomacy.

2. After gathering suggestions on this year’s “Prominent Diplomatic Figure in Korean History” from 
inside and outside the Ministry, and having them evaluated by a government-private sector committee 
of experts, the Foreign Ministry has chosen Yi Ye (1373-1445), a professional diplomat during the reign 
of King Sejong of Joseon Dynasty, as the “Prominent Diplomatic Figure in Korean History” for 2010.

   ㅇ Yi Ye is one of professional diplomats who led Korea’s diplomacy toward Japan before the modern 
age. He contributed to the signing of the Treaty of Gyehae, which provided the cornerstone for Korea-
Japan relations in the early Joseon Dynasty, and secured the return of 667 people of Joseon while 
being dispatched to Japan about 40 times.

   ㅇ Yi Ye dedicated his life to promoting national interest and protecting our nationals in rugged regions 
such as Tsushima and Okinawa. This program aims to foster public interest and pride in diplomacy by 
presenting a model diplomat in our history.

3. In undertaking this program, the Foreign Ministry will refer to abundant historical materials of the 
Annals of the Joseon Dynasty, and hold exchanges with Japanese scholars. This will give us an 
opportunity to reexamine the Korea-Japan diplomatic relations in the early Joseon Dynasty and to 
further strengthen friendship between Korea and Japan.

4. The Foreign Ministry in collaboration with the Academy of Korean Studies will study Yi Ye’s 
achievements through a government-private sector joint field trip to Japan in late July, and conduct 
research after gathering materials. After holding a small academic conference in September and 
an international academic conference in November, the Foreign Ministry will release the research 
results. 


                       Spokesperson and Deputy Minister for Public Relations of MOFAT 

* unofficial translation