Yoon Meets World Leaders Through Condolences for Queen Elizabeth II... Former Presidents Kim Dae-jung and Park Geun-hye Also Engage in Condolence Diplomacy
[Asia Economy Reporter Baek Kyunghwan] A rare form of condolence diplomacy by the president has begun in South Korea's political history. President Yoon Seok-yeol arrived in London, UK, on the afternoon of the 18th (local time) for a short 1-night, 2-day schedule to attend the condolence events for the late Queen Elizabeth II. Although some originally scheduled events were canceled due to local circumstances, considering that about 2,000 people, including presidents, prime ministers, and high-ranking officials from over 200 countries, are attending the funeral, it can be seen as the largest diplomatic event on the planet.
The UK reportedly sent invitations to 200 countries with which it maintains diplomatic relations. Russia and Belarus did not attend due to the invasion of Ukraine, and Myanmar was absent due to the military's massacre of civilians. North Korea and Nicaragua were invited only at the ambassador level instead of heads of state. Since there had been no state funerals in the UK for over half a century after the funeral of former Prime Minister Churchill in 1965, Queen Elizabeth II's funeral became a large-scale mourning event.
As the event is a condolence gathering, it is mainly a place for brief greetings, but there may be opportunities to promise future summits or exchange brief positions on key issues. After arriving in London, President Yoon attended a reception hosted by King Charles III at Buckingham Palace. President Yoon had conversations with UK Prime Minister Liz Truss, US President Joe Biden, French President Emmanuel Macron, Charles Michel, President of the European Council, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, among others. Notably, he exchanged greetings with President Biden and promised to meet again at the UN General Assembly. The reception was also attended by many royal figures, including Emperor Naruhito and the King and Queen of Jordan.
Among past presidents, some have strengthened their international standing through condolence diplomacy. In June 2000, then-President Kim Dae-jung attended the funeral of former Japanese Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi. Since the two leaders had issued the 'Kim Dae-jung-Obuchi Declaration' expressing deep remorse for colonial rule, South Korea secured a foundation for a trilateral summit among President Bill Clinton of the US, newly appointed Prime Minister Mori Yoshiro, and President Kim through Kim's condolence visit.
Former President Park Geun-hye also attended the funeral of former Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew in March 2015 as a sitting president. Park and Lee were connected more by past ties than direct relations. Lee mentioned in his autobiography a summit with former President Park Chung-hee and referred to Park Geun-hye, who was acting as the first lady at the time.
At that time, domestic media speculated about the possibility of a Korea-Japan summit. Due to the strained Korea-Japan relations, attention was focused on a meeting with then-Prime Minister Abe, with whom no summit had yet been held. Although only light conversations took place rather than a formal summit, the two leaders eventually held their first summit in November of the same year to discuss issues such as the comfort women victims, territorial rights over Dokdo, the entry of Japan's Self-Defense Forces into the Korean Peninsula, restrictions on imports of Japanese seafood, and joining the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP).
Former President Park Chung-hee also engaged in condolence diplomacy. At the time, he was president-elect and acting president as chairman of the Supreme Council for National Reconstruction. Politicians view Park's attendance at President Kennedy's funeral as a 'political courtesy,' reciprocating Kennedy's invitation shortly after the May 16 coup.
Prime Minister Han Duck-soo will attend the state funeral of former Prime Minister Abe Shinzo held in Tokyo, Japan, on the 27th of this month. The condolence delegation consists of Prime Minister Han (head), National Assembly Deputy Speaker Chung Jin-suk (deputy head), Ambassador to Japan Yoon Deok-min, and Yoo Heung-soo, chairman of the Korea-Japan Friendship Association Central Committee (former ambassador to Japan). Besides the state funeral, Prime Minister Han plans to meet key figures in Japanese politics, government, and business, and hold a meeting with representatives of the Korean community. President Yoon previously visited the domestic memorial altar to pay respects. He also left a condolence message in the condolence book, writing, "I pray for the repose of the late former Prime Minister Abe Shinzo, who devoted himself to the prosperity and development of Asia," and "I extend my deepest condolences to the bereaved family and the people of Japan." Notably, he included a diplomatic message, "I hope that Korea and Japan, as closest neighbors, will cooperate closely in the future."
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