1. The Korea National Diplomatic Academy (KNDA) held an open academic seminar, titled “a review of the Park Geun-hye government’s diplomacy over the past three years: exploring the Republic of Korea’s diplomatic direction in the wake of the UN’s imposition of sanctions on North Korea,” at the KNDA on February 29.

2. The seminar covered in depth an assessment of the UN’s sanctions resolution on North Korea and future tasks as well as an evaluation of the foreign policies of the Park Geun-hye government over the past three years.

° The academic seminar was moderated by KNDA Chancellor Yun Duk-min and brought together Second Vice Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul, Director Cho Hee-yong of the KNDA’s Center for Japanese Studies, Director Kim Sung-han of the Ilmin International Relations Institute (IIRI), Vice President Choi Kang of the Asan Institute for Policy Studies (AIPS) and President Jin Chang-soo of the Sejong Institute as panelists.

3. In the discussion on “an assessment of the UN’s sanctions resolution on North Korea and future tasks,” the participants noted with appreciation that the UN Security Council’s unprecedentedly tough sanctions on North Korea aside from military operations are the outcome of the ROK government’s multifaceted diplomatic efforts. In that regard, they stressed that the continued implementation of the sanctions and China’s cooperation will be crucial.

° Second Vice Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul cited as the background behind the tough UN sanctions on North Korea and the shift in China’s position the efforts over the past three years to build trust between the ROK and the Chinese Presidents, including President Park Geun-hye’s attendance at China’s Victory Day celebrations; and the ROK’s expression of its firm resolve to bring an end to North Korea’s nuclear development, including by fully suspending the operations of the Gaeseong Industrial Complex. He forecast that China would cooperate in the implementation of the UN Security Council sanctions on North Korea.

° IIRI Director Kim Sung-han noted that what is important is for China to implement sanctions on North Korea in a sustainable and consistent manner. He stressed that, for that to happen, the ROK, the US and Japan should maintain collaboration, and the international community should make efforts to communicate with China.

° Director Cho Hee-yong of the KNDA’s Center for Japanese Studies noted with appreciation that the UN sanctions resolution carries significance as a consensus of the international community that the ROK will lead efforts to resolve issues concerning the Korean Peninsula. He emphasized that the ROK and Russia should step up dialogue so as for Russia not to feel isolated amid the collaboration against North Korea.

° President Jin Chang-soo of the Sejong Institute presented an analysis that the sanctions over North Korea’s nuclear development are undergoing a “qualitative change,” as “mini-lateral sanctions” from the ROK, the US and Japan have been added to bilateral and international sanctions of the past. He also voiced his view that consultative mechanisms for sanctioning North Korea, mainly including mini-lateral mechanisms among the ROK, the US and ASEAN and among the ROK, the US and the EU, should be sought in order to broaden the range and improve the effectiveness of the sanctions.

° AIPS Vice President Choi Kang noted that the close ROK-US collaboration and their firm resolve ironically led to a shift in China’s attitude. He stressed that in order for sanctions to be effective, a multilateral framework is necessary for implementing the sanctions in a sustainable manner and overseeing their implementation.

4. In the discussion on the “evaluation of the foreign policies of the Park Geun-hye government over the past three years and diplomatic tasks,” the participants drew a common understanding that albeit premature to determine whether the Park Geun-hye government’s foreign policies have been successful, considering the difficult diplomatic environment at the time of its launch, the Park administration has made various policy achievements within the overarching framework of trustpolitik.

° Second Vice Foreign Minister Cho explained in detail the achievements in the ROK’s diplomacy with its neighboring countries in accordance with its strategic roadmap, particularly highlighting the advances in the comprehensive strategic alliance between the ROK and the US, the substantial progress in the strategic cooperative partnership between the ROK and China, and the restoration of the ROK-Japan relations and the resolution of the “comfort women” issue. He pointed out as the main achievements in the ROK’s multilateral diplomacy its proactive multilateral diplomacy as the chair country of ten international meetings, contribution in the field of development cooperation and leading role in the cooperation among the MIKTA countries. The Vice Minister, mentioning that the ROK’s foreign policy on issues concerning the Korean Peninsula, Northeast Asia and the global community is being implemented within the broad framework of trustpolitik, stressed that instead of assessing the achievements in trustpolitik in light of its achievements on the North Korean nuclear issue, a strategic approach should be taken in the long term.

° IIRI Director Kim commented that it is still premature to judge whether the Park government’s diplomacy over the past three years was successful or not, adding that what is important is whether the diplomacy is moving forward in the right direction. He commended the government for developing the New Frontiers in the ROK-US ties, with its central pillar of diplomacy on the ROK-US alliance. He asked that the ROK seek to broaden its diplomatic horizon by focusing on resolving the North Korean nuclear issue and playing an active role in the regional and global community.

° KNDA Director Cho pointed out that when the ROK implements initiatives at the global level, many other countries actively join it, which confirms the ROK’s high standing in the international community. He emphasized that the assets accumulated through diplomacy with neighboring countries as well as global and middle power diplomacy should not be underestimated. The Director re-emphasized the importance of the ROK-Japan relations and of Japan’s sincere implementation of the ROK-Japan agreement on the “comfort women” issue. He suggested as key tasks working closely with opinion leaders at home and increasing diplomatic workforce and the relevant budget.

° President Jin of the Sejong Institute noted with appreciation that unlike its predecessors, the Park Geun-hye government has put more emphasis on principles than practical value and remained consistent in implementing policies; implemented its policy one by one, while seeking public support; and made efforts to build a logical connectivity among its policies toward the Korean Peninsula, Northeast Asia and the global community. Pointing out some shortcomings in the policy flexibility and communication with the public, he suggested stepping up communication with opinion leaders and the public and shedding the reliance mainly on the US and China.

° AIPS Vice President Choi commented that albeit premature to evaluate the Park Geun-hye government’s foreign policies, the government’s implementation of principled policies can be seen in a positive light. He added that should the ROK have taken a two-track approach to its relations with Japan with policy flexibility earlier, it could have spared itself some diplomatic efforts. He proposed as a diplomatic task that private-public cooperation be sought to translate the private sector’s soft power into diplomatic capability.


* unofficial translation