Lessons from Expo Failure... Prime Minister Han Deok-su Says "Diplomatic Strategy and Personnel Must Change"

7il Sejongcheongsa Jigeogandamhoe
"Munhwa, Gyeongje, Cheyukgye Deungedo Oegyo Gihoe Jwoya"

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo Photo by Yonhap News

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo stated that the government's diplomatic policy needs to change. He argued that not only bureaucrats but also various figures from all walks of life should be given opportunities to play active roles in frontline diplomacy. This is interpreted as a call for a fundamental improvement in diplomatic strategy following the recent failure to secure the Expo hosting rights.

At a regular press briefing held at the Government Complex Sejong on the 7th, Prime Minister Han cited the lesson from the Expo hosting failure, saying, "Not only ministers but also people from the cultural, economic, and sports sectors should visit more than 100 countries at least once or twice a year to strengthen our advantages." He explained, "As Prime Minister, when I visited foreign countries, it was impossible to just ask for the Expo. We discussed various issues together and then talked about the Expo."

He continued, "It doesn't seem right to keep hiring only those who graduated from the Diplomatic Academy (Korea National Diplomatic Academy) as diplomatic personnel," adding, "If someone has been interested in Africa since childhood, we should bring them in and let them serve as ambassadors for 10 years." He further noted, "President Yoon Seok-yeol had a similar idea about changing the diplomatic approach."

Prime Minister Han also said, "Not only ministers but also people from the cultural, economic, and sports sectors should visit more than 100 countries at least once or twice a year to strengthen our advantages," reiterating, "As Prime Minister, when I visited foreign countries, it was impossible to just ask for the Expo. We discussed various issues together and then talked about the Expo."

These remarks came while explaining the assets gained during the Expo hosting bid process. Prime Minister Han, who served as co-chairman of the Expo Hosting Committee, led the effort to secure the 2030 World Expo in Busan. He confessed, "Personally, my heart aches and I really feel regret."

Meanwhile, regarding Kim Hong-il, a former prosecutor nominated as the Chairman of the Korea Communications Commission and currently serving as the Chairperson of the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission, Prime Minister Han said, "He has a very humane and principled reputation from his time as a prosecutor," and evaluated, "I think he will do well as the Communications Commission Chairman." He added, "There have been legal professionals in the Communications Commission in the past, so it would be good to observe how he performs and then evaluate him."