Foreign Minister Nominee Jeong Eui-yong, the 'Two Top' of Korean Peninsula Policy

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo In-ho] South Korea's diplomatic and security lineup has been newly transformed with experienced figures.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

This is because U.S. President Joe Biden is known as a master of diplomacy, and the experts in the diplomatic and security lines within the U.S. administration are formidable, making it necessary for our government’s diplomatic and security lineup to be strengthened accordingly.

Since President Moon Jae-in places the highest priority on establishing the Korean Peninsula peace process during his remaining one-year term, this reshuffle in the diplomatic and security sectors is receiving even more attention.

Already, after the collapse of the North Korea-U.S. summit in Hanoi, Vietnam in 2019, and as inter-Korean relations froze again from last year, President Moon began reappointing veterans who have experienced many trials and tribulations since former President Kim Dae-jung’s era, through the Roh Moo-hyun administration, and into the current government.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

In July last year, he appointed Park Jie-won, a former secretary to DJ and ex-Minsaengdang party lawmaker, as the director of the National Intelligence Service, and this time, he recalled former National Security Office chief Chung Eui-yong by nominating him as the head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Nominee Chung has been called one of the ‘two top’ figures in the current administration’s Korean Peninsula policy along with Seo Hun, the current National Security Office chief. In March 2018, the two met North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un in Pyongyang as special envoys, and afterwards, nominee Chung was dispatched as a messenger to the U.S. where he met former President Donald Trump.

The outcome led to the April inter-Korean summit and the June North Korea-U.S. Singapore summit.

A diplomatic expert said, “Appointing a former National Security Office chief who has handled Korean Peninsula issues for over three years as foreign minister shows President Moon’s determination to restart the peace process during his remaining term.”

If nominee Chung passes the confirmation hearing, a lineup will be established with Seo Hun (National Security Office) - Park Jie-won (National Intelligence Service) - Chung Eui-yong (Foreign Affairs) - Lee In-young (Unification).

Moreover, Director Park played a decisive role in the 2000 inter-Korean summit. Director Seo currently oversees national security as a close aide to President Moon following nominee Chung. During his tenure as NIS director, he contributed to improving inter-Korean and North Korea-U.S. relations alongside former Director Chung.

Minister Lee is also regarded as having a high understanding of progressive governance, being a four-term senior lawmaker active since the Uri Party era in 2004 during the Roh Moo-hyun administration.