1. The final thematic discussion of the 2024 Meeting of Heads of Overseas Diplomatic Missions was held on April 25 under the theme of “Multilateral Diplomacy as a Global Pivotal State” with the participation of Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Kang Insun and heads of overseas diplomatic missions. The discussion consisted of three parts. The first part was on raising the international profile as a leading democracy and expanding contributions to international peace and security as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council. The second part was on leading global issues in multilateral economic fora. The third part was on strengthening solidarity on development cooperation and diplomacy with the Global South.

2. In her opening remarks, Vice Minister Kang Insun emphasized that at a juncture of great geopolitical and geoeconomic transformation, it is time for the multilateral diplomacy of Korea, as a developed country, to consider what goals it should pursue while managing its relations with the Global South. She also called for the role of the heads of diplomatic missions in establishing foreign policies that realize Korea’s role as a Global Pivotal State.

3. In the first part of the discussion, Deputy Minister for Multilateral and Global Affairs Kweon Ki-hwan emphasized that Korea will actively implement the vision of a Global Pivotal State by strengthening international solidarity based on shared values such as democracy and human rights, and expanding its role and contribution in promoting international peace and security as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the next two years.

4. Ambassador to Geneva Yun Seong Deok shared recent international discussions on new technologies and human rights and introduced Korea’s remarkable contributions. He also emphasized the need to utilize the opportunities and effectively respond to threats posed by new technologies, such as artificial intelligence, in the development of democracy. Ambassador to Austria Ham Sang Wook emphasized the need to further strengthen solidarity and cooperation among like-minded countries, as the Vienna Spirit, which emphasizes consensus-based decision-making, has recently been in crisis and the international community has become fragmented.

5. In the second part of the discussion, Deputy Minister for Economic Affairs Kim Hee-sang shared the government's vision for the global economic agendas such as supply chain, digital/technologies, AI, climate and energy, as well as Korea’s plans for participating in discussions in major multilateral economic organizations such as the G7/G20, APEC, and the OECD.

6. Ambassador to Italy Lee Seong-ho emphasized the need for Korea to strengthen its partnership with the G7, with which it shares values, and proposed to develop strategies to solidify the foundation for cooperation with the G7 in the mid- to long-term. Ambassador to Peru Choi Jong-uk shared the current status of Peru's preparation as a chair for this year’s APEC , and proposed a direction for Korea's APEC chairmanship next year, including the theme of the summit and how to respond to geopolitical issues.

7. In addition, Ambassador for International Cooperation on G20 Affairs Song In-chang emphasized the need for Korea to play a leading role in climate change, digital, and other related areas and drive G20-wide solidarity in difficult circumstances where consensus on global issues needs to be achieved amidst the evolving geopolitical competition within the G20.

8. In the third part of the discussion, Deputy Minister for Multilateral and Global Affairs Kweon Ki-hwan emphasized the need for the Korean government to effectively implement its Global South diplomacy through the Official Development Assistance (ODA) as a developed country and to strengthen strategic partnerships with major donor countries.

9. Ambassador to Belgium and the EU Ryu Jeonghyun suggested that Korea strengthen cooperation with the EU, a key partner in Korea’s vision for a Global Pivotal State, to create synergies in areas such as development cooperation and recovery and reconstruction of Ukraine. Ambassador to the Lao People’s Democratic Republic Jung Yung Soo suggested strengthening Korea’s diplomacy with the Global South by promoting people-to-people exchanges, and emphasized the need for development cooperation tailored to each region and a long-term strategy for public diplomacy.

10. Through this thematic discussion, participants shared visions for Korea’s roles and contributions in the international community, and their on-the-spot opinions and relevant policy recommendations, thus strengthening the implementation of the 'Global Pivotal State' vision in multilateral diplomacy.