[Opinion] Korea's Diplomatic 'COVID-19' Global Initiative

Professor Jaeho Hwang, School of International Studies, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies

President Moon Jae-in, during a phone call with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the 20th of last month, agreed to strengthen the sharing of clinical treatment experiences for the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) and cooperation between quarantine authorities. The first step was the video conference of the bureau-level 'Korea-China Quarantine Cooperation Dialogue' held on the 13th. On the 20th, a video conference among the foreign ministers of Korea, China, and Japan was held, and on the 26th, a special G20 video summit proposed by President Moon is scheduled to take place. Until now, Korean diplomacy had been in a 'siege' situation, but by leading this global quarantine discussion, it is expected to achieve several meaningful outcomes in both bilateral and multilateral diplomacy.

First, at the Korea-China bilateral level, the scope of cooperation beyond North Korean nuclear issues will expand. As COVID-19 spreads worldwide, the quarantine models of Korea and China are receiving significant attention from the international community. The Chinese model is characterized by strong control and isolation, while the Korean model emphasizes large-scale rapid testing, transparent information provision, and social distancing.

At the trilateral level among Korea, China, and Japan, momentum for cooperation will be created. Japan was initially passive but participated in the 'Korea-China-Japan Foreign Ministry Bureau-Level Consultation' on the 17th. All three countries faced difficulties in initial responses due to the unprecedented nature of the epidemic, but now experience and know-how have been accumulated. The Korea-China-Japan summit to be held in Korea this year will serve as an opportunity to enhance the resilience of trilateral relations.

At the G20 level, consensus on the necessity of non-traditional security cooperation will spread. More than 18,000 deaths worldwide have resulted from COVID-19, exceeding the casualties of many modern wars. This will be the starting point for discussions on a joint cooperative system that can efficiently and integratively respond to transboundary disasters and emergencies such as epidemics and climate change on a regular and ad hoc basis.

At the global level, the G20 joint declaration will be recorded as a Korea initiative, regardless of its official name. China is also active in COVID-19 diplomatic efforts. As a pillar of the community of shared human destiny, China has the will and capacity to build a quarantine Silk Road with countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative (一帶一路, the land and maritime Silk Road). However, this is not easy due to the antipathy and wariness of Western countries led by the United States. In contrast, the Korean model enjoys high international approval. Both the United States and Iran have requested Korea's support. Korea can be accepted without rejection by the G20, developing countries, including the US and China. Korea is in a position to narrow international social distancing rather than widen it.

Above all, Korean diplomacy is demonstrating global altruism despite the trend of most countries prioritizing their own national interests. Korea is currently practicing charm diplomacy that cannot be measured in monetary terms. It is conducting proactive diplomacy rather than reactive diplomacy. In the recent phone call between President Moon and US President Donald Trump, North Korean nuclear issues were not the main topic for the first time. When the international community was gripped by fear of an unknown infectious disease, Korea proposed a way out.

However, the concern is not only COVID-19. In explaining the background of the G20 meeting proposal, President Moon emphasized, "Along with sharing our infectious disease response methods, fundamentally, there must be international cooperation for economic recovery and crisis management of each country." Another kind of epidemic, such as 'anti-globalization,' poses a greater threat to the international community. While the pandemic of COVID-19 is worrisome, so is the pandemic of isolationism. Therefore, the proposal to allow essential human movement, such as businesspeople, is a welcome measure essential for the recovery of the global economy. Furthermore, if the values and future of the international order of globalization and openness are still emphasized at this G20 meeting, it will serve as an opportunity to heal another 'epidemic.' Depending on the outcomes, the current administration's 'Northeast Asia Plus Responsible Community' diplomacy will also be evaluated as having contributed to the global community in its own way.

Hwang Jae-ho, Professor, Department of International Studies, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies