Jung Eui-yong: "No Reason Not to Join Various Diplomatic Efforts Aimed at the Quad"

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo In-ho] Foreign Minister Chung Eui-yong stated on the 21st regarding the issue of joining the 'Quad,' a four-country consultative group regarded as a plan to check China, “There is no reason why we cannot participate in the diplomatic efforts in various fields that the Quad aims for.”

Foreign Minister Chung Eui-yong is delivering the keynote speech at the Kwanhun Club invitation debate held at the Press Center in Jung-gu, Seoul on the 20th. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

Minister Chung said at the Kwanhun Forum held at the Seoul Press Center on the morning of the same day about the Quad participation issue, “Participation in the (Quad) is a separate matter, and since we have a geopolitical position, it must be carefully reviewed.”

This can be interpreted as drawing a line on joining the Quad while leaving open the possibility of participating in U.S.-led diplomatic efforts.

He said, “I told the U.S. that this regional consultative body should be inclusive, open, and transparent,” and added, “The U.S. also accepted our position.”

He continued, “(The U.S.) clearly told us that the Quad is not an attempt at regional bloc formation.”

Regarding some reports that Jake Sullivan, U.S. National Security Advisor, strongly urged South Korea to join the Quad during a meeting with Suh Hoon, Director of the Blue House National Security Office, Minister Chung said, “The truth is that such a proposal was not made.”

Minister Chung strongly criticized the Japanese government’s claim that the ruling on compensation for comfort women victims violates international law as “nonsense.”

He said, “Japan continues to make nonsensical claims that not honoring intergovernmental agreements is a violation of international law,” and “It is as if South Korea is the country violating international law, and Japan keeps going around slandering us.”

He then questioned, “Does Japan have the right to do that? Where is the fundamental cause of the problem?” and criticized, “The basic nature of the comfort women issue is a representative case of women’s human rights during wartime.”

In particular, Minister Chung said, “Realistically, we proposed alternatives to resolve the comfort women issue, but Japan said it cannot accept them and told us to bring better alternatives,” adding, “We have reached a deadlock over who negotiates this issue with a high-handed attitude.”

He continued, “To be honest, while serving as the National Security Office Director, I went to Japan several times privately to consult with high-ranking officials,” and “Each time, I brought realistic proposals, but Japan’s negotiation attitude was quite surprising. They consistently insisted on their own claims, as if to say, ‘If you don’t agree, let’s break off negotiations,’” raising his voice.