Next Week, Heads of Overseas Missions Worldwide Gather... Exploring Directions for Korea's Diplomacy, Security, and Exports

182 Ambassadors, Consuls General, and Branch Chiefs Enter
Seeking Diplomatic Strategies in a Geopolitical Transition
Leadership Special Lecture by Baseball Manager Kim Seong-geun Invited

The Chief Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is holding a regular briefing at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 2nd.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will hold an Overseas Mission Chiefs Meeting for five days starting from the 22nd, attended by a total of 182 heads of overseas missions including ambassadors, consuls general, and branch chiefs. Through this meeting, solutions to geopolitical crises such as the Middle East situation will be sought, and measures to expand corporate overseas advancement and defense industry exports will also be discussed.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the 18th, this year's meeting will be held under the theme "Our Diplomatic Strategy in a Geopolitical Transition Period." Amid intensified US-China strategic competition, overt North Korean nuclear threats, and prolonged wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, overseas mission chiefs will gather to collectively explore the direction Korean diplomacy should take.

After the opening at 9 a.m. on the 22nd, in the afternoon, Minister of Unification Kim Young-ho will give a lecture on the current economic and social conditions in North Korea and the direction of South Korea's unification policy. On the 23rd, Deputy Director Wang Yoon-jong of the National Security Office will deliver a lecture on economic security policy, followed by discussions on enabling youth to advance onto the global stage.

For the first time at the Overseas Mission Chiefs Meeting, a session titled "Meeting with Metropolitan Government Heads" will be held to discuss ways to strengthen cooperation with local governments to revitalize local livelihood economies. To institutionalize this collaboration, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs plans to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Korea Council of Governors, representing all 17 metropolitan governments.

On the 25th, a "Meeting with Businesspeople" session will be held, where mission chiefs will have one-on-one meetings with entrepreneurs to share information on entering host countries. On the 26th, through the "Defense Industry Export Subcommittee Meeting," related missions will share their experiences in defense exports and contracts, and discuss ways to pioneer emerging export markets.

In particular, on this day, former baseball manager Kim Sung-geun will be invited to give a special lecture to enhance the leadership capabilities of the mission chiefs.

Ambassador to China Jeong Jae-ho, who has recently faced allegations of power abuse, is also scheduled to attend the Overseas Mission Chiefs Meeting. A Ministry of Foreign Affairs official explained, "Investigators in the field are conducting necessary investigations and verifications, and it is understood that Ambassador Jeong will be entering the country."

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated, "This meeting is expected to be an opportunity for overseas mission chiefs to deepen their understanding of our government's national philosophy and diplomatic policy vision, and to strengthen their capabilities to respond more effectively to complex global crises."