[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo In-ho] Park Jin, the nominee for Minister of Foreign Affairs appointed as the first foreign minister of the Yoon Seok-yeol administration, faces the challenge of resolving numerous pressing issues on the Korean Peninsula and in international affairs.
Major issues such as North Korea's nuclear program, the Ukraine crisis, escalating US-China tensions, and historical conflicts between Korea and Japan have accumulated, raising concerns that the new government's foreign policy will not be easy.
In a statement released after his nomination, Park said, “The diplomatic challenges facing the Yoon Seok-yeol administration are numerous, including North Korea's provocations, US-China conflicts, the Ukraine crisis, global supply chains, economic security issues, the COVID-19 pandemic, and climate change,” adding, “This is a grave time when diplomacy is more important than ever, and I feel an even heavier sense of responsibility.”
In diplomatic circles, the North Korean nuclear issue is pointed out as an urgent problem. Recently, North Korea has claimed itself as a “nuclear-armed state” and issued nuclear threats through statements such as those by Kim Yo-jong, Deputy Director of the Workers' Party Central Committee.
North Korea is expected to carry out additional military provocations around internal political events such as the 110th anniversary of the Day of the Sun (Kim Il-sung's birthday) on the 15th and the 90th anniversary of the founding of the Korean People's Revolutionary Army (anti-Japanese guerrilla forces) on the 25th.
The Crisis Management Staff Training (CMST) conducted by South Korean and US military authorities starting on the 12th could also serve as a pretext for North Korean provocations.
The US-China hegemonic competition and historical conflicts causing Korea-Japan tensions also need to be resolved. During his candidacy, Yoon pledged to rebuild the Korea-US alliance and strengthen a comprehensive strategic alliance, and Chinese opposition is seen as an expected step. Regarding diplomacy with China, Yoon promised to establish Korea-China relations based on mutual respect.
Improving Korea-Japan relations is also a task. Yoon's camp plans to restore shuttle diplomacy between the two countries' leaders and activate high-level consultation channels to comprehensively resolve current issues. However, since the Japanese government insists on “resolving historical issues first,” comprehensive resolution of issues does not seem easy.
In this context, it is expected that Park will focus most on upgrading the Korea-US comprehensive strategic alliance. The solution to issues on the Korean Peninsula, including inter-Korean, Korea-China, and Korea-Japan relations, should be sought through the Korea-US alliance.
Park recently visited the US as the head of the Korea-US Policy Consultation Delegation for a 5-night, 7-day schedule, focusing on building consensus with government and congressional officials on the Korea-US comprehensive strategic alliance, which is why he made this visit.
After returning from the US, Park told reporters, “To strengthen the Korea-US alliance, I delivered a letter from President-elect Yoon to President Biden through a senior White House official,” adding, “Both sides agreed on the need for an early Korea-US summit, and the US confirmed that it will send a high-level congratulatory delegation to our president's inauguration ceremony to celebrate the arrival of a newly elevated era of the Korea-US alliance.”
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