[22nd Rising Star]⑩ 'Diplomacy Expert' Woesonrak "We Must Not Give Up on Unification... I Will Harmonize Reality and Ideals"

Editor's NoteThere are 131 first-term lawmakers entering the 22nd National Assembly. This is the lowest number since the 16th National Assembly in 2000, which had 112. Amid a political landscape where the ruling party is in the minority, the public expects these lawmakers to lead politics of dialogue and compromise and deliver tangible results. We introduce the elected officials who are expected to bring a fresh breeze to the 22nd National Assembly. ① Park Ji-hye ② Go Dong-jin ③ Kwak Sang-eon ④ Park Soo-min ⑤ Park Chung-kwon ⑥ Seo Myung-ok ⑦ Lim Mi-ae ⑧ Choi Eun-seok ⑨ Boo Seung-chan ⑩ Wi Seong-rak

"Conducting diplomacy befitting our nation's stature is my lifelong mission."

Wi Seong-rak, a proportional representation elected official (69), is known as a 'diplomatic expert' and was elected as the second candidate on the Democratic United Party's proportional representation list in the 22nd general election. Among male candidates, he held the highest priority position, making his election certain. On the 17th, Asia Economy met Wi at the office of the foundation 'Creating Peace on the Korean Peninsula' in Jongno-gu for an interview lasting about 50 minutes. 'Creating Peace on the Korean Peninsula' is the foundation where he served as Secretary General.

Proportional Representative Elect Seongrak Wi
[Photo by Seongrak Wi's Office]

He has been interested in international politics since middle school. As a high school student, he even compiled scrapbooks of news articles about the Korean military's involvement in the Vietnam War. He said, "When I was in high school in the early 1970s, there was a dispatch to the Vietnam War. Before that, Korea had been colonized, then the Korean War broke out, and now the country remains divided." He viewed major events that determined the fate of Korea as all related to international politics and devoted himself to studying diplomacy from his university days.

He graduated from Seoul National University with a degree in diplomacy and passed the 13th Foreign Service Examination in 1979. He studied Russian at the U.S. Monterey Military Language Institute and served as First Secretary at the Embassy in Russia. From the Kim Young-sam administration through the Park Geun-hye administration, he held positions such as head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade headquarters and Ambassador to Russia, walking the path of a diplomatic expert. In 2021, he entered politics by serving as the Chair of the Practical Diplomacy Committee in Lee Jae-myung's presidential campaign.

Regarding his motivation to run in the 22nd general election, he explained, "Realistically, entering the National Assembly is one way to realize the diplomatic policies I aim for." Wi stated that he is not interested in constituency politics. He said firmly, "I came with expertise in diplomacy, so I intend to contribute within the scope of that expertise."

When he decided to run, his family showed both concern and support. His wife is a painter who majored in Oriental painting at Seoul National University. They met through a Chinese character study group on campus, which led to a lifelong relationship, and they have two sons. He said, "My wife is somewhat fearful and finds politics difficult. She did not strongly oppose it but was worried." He added, "My sons were more supportive of me working in the National Assembly. They seemed to think that having political power is necessary to work meaningfully."

Wi Seong-rak (right), who was elected as a proportional representative in the 22nd National Assembly election, is receiving his certificate of election from Chairman Noh Tae-ak at the certificate presentation ceremony held at the Central Election Commission in Gwacheon-si, Gyeonggi-do, on the afternoon of the 11th of last month, and posing for a commemorative photo. Photo by Yonhap News

Throughout the interview, he emphasized 'balance' and 'harmony.' He strives to harmonize ideals and reality in his personal life and believes Korean diplomacy should move toward integrating values and reality. He said, "When I graduated from high school in a provincial area and came to Seoul, I was a young person with very idealistic dreams. At university, I studied realistic international politics and tried to achieve harmony between the two." He stressed, "Based on my field experience as a diplomat and experience grounded in reality and experimentation, I will work in the National Assembly."

He also said diplomacy with other countries must maintain balance. He emphasized, "We should not try to manage everything solely through alliance relationships. In a global order intertwined with sharp confrontations, we must pursue a holistic diplomatic policy." He added, "Considering Korea's geopolitical conditions, it is not wise to excel with only one partner. Strengthening relations with the U.S. and Japan naturally causes reactions from North Korea, China, and Russia." Furthermore, he mentioned, "We must apply appropriate pressure and sanctions on North Korea while engaging in dialogue and negotiations."

Wi also showed strong determination regarding unification. He said, "North Korea repeatedly insists it is a separate country from South Korea because it wants to live in solidarity with China and Russia. But if South Korea accepts that and chooses to live in the camp of South Korea, the U.S., and Japan, permanent division will be inevitable." He expressed concern, saying, "I don't think this is the attitude South Korea, which achieved industrialization and democratization, should take in the 21st century." He argued, "If we manage the long game well, change may begin within North Korea or China's North Korea policy may evolve."