"Global Hub Diplomacy, Vision for a Unified Korean Peninsula"
President Yoon Suk-yeol is delivering a welcoming speech at the 2024 Overseas Diplomatic Mission Chiefs Dinner held at Lotte Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul on the 22nd. [Image source=Yonhap News]
President Yoon Suk-yeol held a dinner on the 22nd, inviting heads of diplomatic missions attending the '2024 Overseas Missions Chiefs Meeting,' the Presidential Office announced.
This year's Overseas Missions Chiefs Meeting is being held from this day until the 26th under the theme of 'Our Diplomatic Strategy in a Geopolitical Transition Period.'
In his dinner speech, President Yoon evaluated, "Since the launch of our government, the diplomacy of a global pivotal state that we have practiced has borne many fruits, such as the first-ever Indo-Pacific (Indo-Pac) strategy announcement, the elevation of the ROK-US alliance to a 'nuclear-based alliance,' normalization of ROK-Japan relations, and strengthening trilateral cooperation among the ROK, US, and Japan to a new level, becoming the 'signature' policy of our government."
President Yoon emphasized, "South Korea, which has significantly expanded official development assistance (ODA) befitting its national status, actively supported Ukraine's peace and reconstruction, and successfully hosted the 3rd Democracy Summit last month, has now risen to the center of the global order by fulfilling global responsibilities and contributions. Global pivotal diplomacy to expand the freedom of world citizens is also connected to the vision of a unified Korean Peninsula."
He continued, "Our government aims for unification that realizes complete freedom for North Korean residents while focusing on the freedom of each citizen, and is actively working to improve the human rights and humanitarian situation of North Korean residents," urging overseas missions to make thorough diplomatic protection and support for North Korean defectors.
President Yoon Suk-yeol is giving closing remarks at the 2024 Overseas Diplomatic Mission Chiefs Dinner held at Lotte Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul on the 22nd. [Image source=Yonhap News]
President Yoon stressed the importance of the roles of mission chiefs for the leap toward a greater South Korea amid unprecedented global complex crises, urging all overseas mission chiefs to devote themselves to economic and livelihood diplomacy. He also requested active support for citizens and overseas Koreans visiting abroad and strengthening information reporting on rapidly changing international situations and trends.
The mission chiefs shared their thoughts on security diplomacy, economic and livelihood diplomacy, and protection of overseas nationals. President Yoon praised the efforts of mission chiefs working for national interests worldwide and added, "I hope this mission chiefs meeting will serve as an opportunity to deepen understanding of the government's national policy direction and for the President, all mission chiefs, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to renew their resolve with a one-team spirit."
The dinner was attended by about 220 people, including 179 ambassadors, consuls general, branch chiefs, and office heads or appointees, as well as ministers from related ministries, Presidential Office aides, and the ruling party's secretary of the National Assembly Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee. The ambassador position to Australia was vacant due to the resignation of former Minister of National Defense Lee Jong-seop, who was appointed ambassador while under investigation, causing controversy. President Yoon's wife, Kim Keon-hee, did not attend the dinner.
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