[COVID-19 Transformation] '? Traditional Diplomacy' Enhancing National Prestige Based on Principles of Openness, Transparency, and Inclusion

Positive Perception Spreads of the K-Quarantine Model... Anticipation as a Driving Force for the New Economic Initiative on the Korean Peninsula

President Moon Jae-in is holding the 'ASEAN+3 Video Summit' at the Blue House office on the afternoon of the 14th of last month. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] "Our country has become the center of international cooperation, and South Korea's status has risen remarkably on multilateral stages such as the Group of Twenty (G20) and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)+3." President Moon Jae-in mentioned the changed status of South Korea after the outbreak of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in his special speech on the third anniversary of his inauguration.

South Korea is expanding its influence in the international community beyond being recognized as a model country for COVID-19 prevention. Regarding COVID-19 response, leaders of G2 countries such as U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping requested phone calls with President Moon, reflecting a change in international status. It is unprecedented to see the U.S. president using his friendship with the South Korean president as a means of promoting his own achievements. President Moon has spoken with more than 30 heads of state regarding COVID-19 response, and Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha received multiple cooperation requests daily from foreign ministers of various countries, including senior officials of international organizations.

This achievement also led to South Korea being elected as a new executive board member at the World Health Organization (WHO) General Assembly on the 19th. Among the 34 executive board member countries of WHO, 10 countries ended their terms this year, and South Korea was nominated as a successor member. Earlier, President Moon became the first South Korean president to deliver a keynote speech at the WHO General Assembly, promoting the achievements of 'K-quarantine' to the world.

On the 20th, the 'Global Infectious Disease Response Cooperation Support Group,' with core members including Singapore, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), was launched under South Korea's leadership. The support group operates mainly around Geneva, where the headquarters of international health organizations such as WHO are located. This marks the beginning of 'pragmatic' diplomacy that broadens the horizon beyond diplomacy centered on major powers around the Korean Peninsula such as the U.S., China, and Japan.

President Moon Jae-in is having a phone conversation with Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), at the Cheong Wa Dae Yeomin Building on the 6th of last month.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Diplomats expressed concerns about the spread of nationalism centered on the U.S. and China triggered by COVID-19 but showed expectations for South Korea's 'post-traditional pragmatic' diplomatic approach. Professor Hwang Jae-ho of the Department of International Studies at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies said, "While the world is caught up in nationalism due to COVID-19, South Korea is demonstrating altruism, positively influencing the international community," adding, "This could serve as a driving force for the current administration's foreign policies such as the Northeast Asia Plus Responsible Community and the New Economic Map of the Korean Peninsula." Professor Hwang also said, "Since South Korea has shown a leading and proactive role in the international community during the COVID-19 situation, it is expected that South Korea will have a role within the framework of non-traditional diplomatic security."

Associate Professor Min Jeong-hoon of the Institute of Foreign Affairs and National Security's Americas Research Division, in his report titled 'COVID-19, Global Leadership, and U.S.-China Relations,' stated, "Many countries around the world have given positive evaluations of South Korea's successful quarantine model during the COVID-19 response," and assessed, "Regarding South Korean diplomacy, the positive perception that South Korea is a transparent and trustworthy country has spread worldwide." He further emphasized, "It is important to note that the excellence of South Korea's quarantine model proven during the COVID-19 response provides strong momentum for pursuing middle power diplomacy based on universal principles of 'openness, transparency, and inclusiveness,' which seek national interests in a Korean-style manner."