[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo In-ho] Kang Kyung-wha, the longest-serving minister of the Moon Jae-in administration and Minister of Foreign Affairs, is stepping down with the inauguration of the Joe Biden administration in the United States, drawing attention to whether there will be changes in the direction of South Korea's diplomacy toward the U.S.
In diplomatic circles, there is anticipation that the appointment of Jeong Eui-yong, a U.S. expert, as the new minister will strengthen the Biden administration's engagement and the Korean Peninsula peace process.
On the 20th, President Moon Jae-in made a sudden decision to replace Minister Kang and nominated former Blue House National Security Office Director Jeong Eui-yong as her successor.
A senior Blue House official explained the personnel decision, saying, "Minister Kang was the first female Minister of Foreign Affairs and served for more than three years. Also, with the inauguration of the Biden administration in the U.S. and changes in administrations of major countries, this is intended to inject new vitality into the diplomatic line and reorganize the diplomatic front accordingly."
Jeong, in his nomination remarks on the same day, said, "I will prepare diligently to smoothly complete the National Assembly's confirmation process," and added, "If all procedures are completed and I am appointed, I will do my best to ensure that the foreign policy pursued by the Moon Jae-in administration bears fruit and that the Korean Peninsula peace process takes root," which aligns with the same context.
Analysts in political and diplomatic circles suggest that the urgent replacement may be aimed at strengthening the Korean Peninsula peace process, including the North Korean nuclear issue, and South Korea-U.S. economic and trade cooperation with the launch of the Biden administration.
This is because the North America line, which had declined in influence under the current administration, is likely to be revived.
Unlike Minister Kang, who came from the United Nations, nominee Jeong is a career diplomat deeply involved in key policies such as North Korea-U.S. negotiations and denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula for peace settlement since the Moon Jae-in administration began.
Jeong served as the Blue House National Security Office Director for three years, playing a leading role in consulting and coordinating all issues between South Korea and the U.S., making him a representative 'U.S. expert' of the current administration.
However, some criticize that the current administration's foreign and security personnel have shown limitations in the talent pool by repeatedly recycling the same officials.
Jeong previously served as Director-General for Trade Negotiations at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Geneva, and was a member of the 17th National Assembly. He was the first National Security Office Director under the Moon administration and has been serving as the President's Special Advisor on Foreign Affairs and Security since stepping down in July last year.
Various interpretations have emerged regarding Minister Kang's departure. Despite numerous controversies, there had been expectations that she would remain in office based on President Moon's strong trust and complete her term, but she stepped down midway.
In June 2017, she was appointed as the first female Minister of Foreign Affairs without passing the foreign service examination, a move regarded as 'unprecedented,' and she showed a groundbreaking approach. The culture of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs changed significantly, with female diplomats advancing to key positions and a reduction in overtime work.
She also excluded key lines within the Ministry, such as the North America line and the so-called Japan School, from major positions.
However, that was the limit of Minister Kang's tenure. She faced various controversies throughout her term. Frequent protocol mistakes and a series of sexual misconduct incidents at overseas missions, including the Korean Embassy in New Zealand, led to criticism of her lack of organizational control.
There were also criticisms that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' presence was weak in advancing the crucial Korean Peninsula peace process.
She was criticized for passively implementing decisions made mainly by the Blue House.
Last year, during the initial phase of the civil servant killing incident, the emergency ministerial meeting was convened without calling Minister Kang, sparking controversy over 'bypassing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.'
An expert in diplomatic circles said, "Minister Kang, who led the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for over four years as the first minister of the Moon Jae-in administration, has handed over the responsibility of the late Moon administration to nominee Jeong," adding, "Jeong faces the task of strengthening the South Korea-U.S. alliance with the inauguration of the Biden administration, smoothly managing relations with major countries such as China, Japan, Russia, and the EU, and especially solidifying the Korean Peninsula peace process, including the North Korean nuclear issue."
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