Foreign Minister Kim Sung-hwan’s Inaugural Address

October 8, 2010

[Opening Remarks]

Dear Foreign Ministry colleagues,

It is my pleasure to meet you all. I have just received a letter of appointment from President Lee Myung-bak. 
I would like to thank you for your support all along.

As you are well aware, with the G20 Summit nearing, in an effort to prevent setbacks in preparations that 
could arise from long absence of the Foreign Minister, a confirmation hearing of the National Assembly on 
me was held in an unprecedentedly swift manner.

Such circumstance is weighing heavily upon me, and I feel a great sense of responsibility as I’ve been 
appointed as the Foreign Minister at a time when people have a keen interest in the Ministry’s reform. And I 
keep renewing my determination to take this opportunity to revamp the Foreign Ministry.

I am well aware that you all have been working devotedly at the diplomatic front day in and day out to help 
realize a “Global Korea,” the diplomatic vision of our government.

Nevertheless, due to our unfair practices in personnel management, including irregularities in the special 
recruitment process, our Ministry has failed the public and lost their trust, falling into a grave situation. If we 
are not to see our past diplomatic efforts wasted, we must completely and boldly rid ourselves of wrong 
practices and renew ourselves overall.

If all of you and I put our minds and hearts together, the critical situation currently facing us will become 
an opportunity for us to rectify current problems and advance our diplomatic capabilities in a way that befits 
the 21st century. 

[Direction of Diplomatic Strategies]

Dear colleagues,

The international environment is clearly becoming more complex, which increasingly calls for new diplomatic 
strategies befitting such condition.

First of all, “total diplomacy” must be implemented in line with the global trend of “diplomatic 
democratization.” The time when the Foreign Ministry was in total charge of foreign affairs has gone. We 
must now turn to “total diplomacy,” in which businesses, civil society and other parts of the private sector 
take part. To this end, our Ministry, with an open attitude, will support diplomatic work by other government 
agencies and the private sector.

Second, in step with the shifting diplomatic environment, “complex diplomacy” must be pursued. Issues 
that have impact on national interests are arising in an increasing number of fields, including not only 
politics, military, and economy, but also resources, energy, climate change and science and technology. 
In addition, parliament and civilians are playing an increasing role in the foreign policy-making process 
of major countries. We must actively deal with such complex diplomatic environment and strengthen 
diplomatic activities targeted at parliament and the private sector of such major countries.

Third, we must seek “digital network diplomacy.” In the 21st century, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and 
other social network services are used to strengthen communication between governments of major 
countries and their civilians, thereby promoting national interests. For the success of such “digital network 
diplomacy,” not only the government but also the private sector, including civil society and NGOs, must 
bolster networking with the world. Through such networking activities, we must enhance mutual 
understanding and our national image. I will also set up a program, in which our youth around the world 
can contribute to our foreign service as cyber diplomats through Twitter and Facebook.

Fourth, our country, as a middle power, must promote “soft power diplomacy.” National interests are 
enormously affected by not only hard power, like military and economic, but also soft power, including 
culture, values and national image. Therefore, we will further strengthen soft power diplomacy, which 
raises understanding of and creates familiarity with our national brands, such as culture, values and 
national image, as well as increases our country’s influence in the international community.

The four aforementioned diplomatic strategies can be summarized as “total and complex diplomacy.” 
Through successful pursuit of the strategies, we will be able to actively meet new challenges facing the 
Korean peninsula, Northeast Asia and the global community, and to solidify the foundation for a unified 
peninsula.

[Management of the Organization and Requests to Colleagues]

Next, I would like to speak about how I plan to manage the organization, followed by a few requests.

I know that all colleagues, who have been working hard with pride, sense of responsibility and integrity, 
were tremendously disappointed and hurt by the recent issue involving the special recruitment process. 
Yet, for the Foreign Ministry to usher in a new era, we will have to overcome such disappointment and pain, 
and work together to reform ourselves with renewed determination. 

I will make a “fair Foreign Ministry” by establishing a fair and transparent HR system and taking bold steps 
to reform the Ministry.

First, concerning the special recruitment system that has been a problem recently, I will fundamentally 
address all problems raised, and continue to fix the system completely so the argument of impartiality 
never rises again.
 
I will establish a competency-based HR system to do away with the term “special treatment” in HR. I will 
put in place a fair HR system based on ability and performance, not background. 

To this end, we will fully abide by HR rules and gather opinions within the Ministry. Also, I will develop a 
fair and transparent screening system by significantly strengthening the role of the personnel committee.

I will gradually remove barriers between job classifications, which have undermined harmony among 
Ministry officials and become obstacle to appointing the right person to the right post. I will create an 
organizational culture where devoted and capable employees are given advantage regardless of 
recruitment channels. I will also work hard to develop measures to strengthen our diplomatic capability 
and competitiveness as a whole. While increasing training for diplomats, we will strictly implement an 
examination and dismissal system. I will strengthen qualification criteria for heads of overseas missions, 
and introduce a system, in which unqualified officials are dismissed through competency evaluation.

I will develop a fair and advanced recruitment system to attract the best and the brightest. We will 
fundamentally reform the existing Foreign Service Exam, and recruit diplomats who have strategic thinking 
skills for the 21st century through the Diplomatic Academy.

To pursue the aforementioned “total and complex diplomacy,” the Ministry will open its doors far wider and 
aggressively search for external talents. I will make it possible for non-professional diplomats to serve as 
heads or senior officials of overseas missions by opening the senior posts of overseas missions.

With such Ministry reform measures, we will be able to lay the groundwork for successfully pursuing 
“total and complex diplomacy,” which proactively responds to the global environment in the 21st century. 
It will also contribute to realizing a “fair society” and a “Global Korea,” which President Lee Myung-bak 
proposed.

Dear colleagues,

Even if we have a perfect system and come up with an effective reform program, without proper 
management, they are of no use. I will do my best to implement a thorough and consistent HR system 
to revamp the Foreign Ministry as a fair and transparent organization. I would also like to emphasize that 
without officials’ active and voluntary participation and willingness to self-sacrifice, nothing can be achieved. 
With selfish thinking that I am an exception, no reform can succeed.

The determined will to reform ourselves that I’m telling you today is my promise to Koreans as well as 
our Ministry officials. I am calling for all of you to work hard to create a Foreign Ministry, which is loved by 
Koreans and whose officials can have affection, passion and pride.

[Preparations for the G20 Seoul Summit]

There is about one month left before the G20 Seoul Summit. The post of the Foreign Minister has been 
vacant for the last one month, so we will have to exert our best efforts not to have any problems in 
preparing for the Summit.

I ask for all of you to proactively participate in preparing for the Summit and provide all necessary support 
so that we can successfully host the G20 Seoul Summit and demonstrate Korea’s potential to the world 
once again.

[Closing Remarks]

Dear fellow colleagues,

Today’s diplomacy foretells the country’s future. Even if we don’t see immediate achievements, diplomatic 
efforts affect national strength and decide the country’s future. We, at the forefront of diplomacy, should 
keep in mind the importance of diplomacy and have the mindset that we are responsible for the country’s 
future and the people’s happiness.

Then, I am sure we can realize a Global Korea, in which Korea displays global leadership in the international 
community, and become one of the world's most advanced nations in the not-too-distant future.

Lastly, I’d like to take this opportunity to truly thank officials at overseas missions, who work around the 
clock to maximize national interests despite difficult conditions. I wish all of you and your family health 
and happiness.