President Moon Emphasizes 'Grand Coalition' Philosophy in Austria... "Cooperation on North Korea Vaccine Supply"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] President Moon Jae-in, who is on a state visit to Austria, visited the Federal Council and highly praised the philosophy of the "grand coalition." He appeared to emphasize the "spirit of integration," which involves forming partnerships with political forces of different ideological orientations.

On the 14th (local time), during a meeting with Wolfgang Sobotka, the Second President of the Austrian Federal Council, President Moon said, "(The grand coalition) provides important political and philosophical implications for many countries, including Korea." He highly praised the Austrian parliament as "a cradle of solidarity and consensus," stating, "The grand coalition and social partnership, which are characteristics of Austrian politics, reflect the spirit of agreement and inclusion."

The grand coalition generally refers to a coalition government formed by major parties with different ideological orientations in parliamentary systems. Since World War II, Austria has had grand coalitions between the progressive Social Democratic Party and the conservative People's Party, and currently, the conservative People's Party and the center-left Green Party form the coalition. In Korea, the late President Roh Moo-hyun once proposed a grand coalition at the level of a parliamentary system. President Moon appears to have mentioned the Austrian grand coalition to emphasize the need for politics of integration and inclusion amid intensifying conflicts between ruling and opposition parties.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

During this state visit to Austria, President Moon agreed to elevate bilateral relations to a strategic partnership. They also agreed to expand cooperation in fields related to the Fourth Industrial Revolution, such as 5G, digital technology, and hydrogen. After completing his schedule in Austria, President Moon will visit Spain from the 15th to the 17th to carry out his state visit itinerary. He will hold summit talks with King Felipe VI of Spain and meetings with Prime Minister Pedro S?nchez, visit the Senate and Madrid City Hall, and attend business events held in Madrid and Barcelona.

Meanwhile, at a joint press conference following the Korea-Austria summit, President Moon stated, "If North Korea agrees, we will actively promote cooperation to supply vaccines to North Korea." Subsequently, the U.S. State Department responded by saying, "There are no plans to provide vaccines to North Korea," but also expressed support for "international efforts to ensure that humanitarian aid, which is very important to the North Korean people, is provided." This is interpreted to mean that the situation could change depending on North Korea's future stance.