Envoys Dispatched to 14 Countries Starting with Europe on the 14th
December 3 Martial Law Defined as "Insurrection"... "Stemming from a Futile Desire for Permanent Rule"
President Lee Jaemyung's decision to dispatch special envoys to 14 countries, including the European Union (EU), France, the United Kingdom, and India, is a strategic move aimed at restoring bilateral diplomacy with major nations. Just one month after making his debut on the multilateral diplomatic stage at the Group of Seven (G7) summit, he has now launched full-scale envoy diplomacy.
Starting with the EU on July 14, President Lee will send special envoys in succession to 14 countries, including France (July 15), the United Kingdom (July 16), and India (July 16). This move is intended both to swiftly fill the diplomatic vacuum and to directly communicate the president's governing philosophy and vision for cooperation. It is a symbolic step that signals to the international community the return of "middle power diplomacy" capable of addressing global issues.
The presidential office has first confirmed envoys to four countries: the EU, France, the United Kingdom, and India. The EU envoy delegation (July 14-17) will be led by former Environment Minister Yoon Yeojoon, accompanied by Democratic Party lawmakers Jeon Hyunhee and Son Myungsoo, who will meet with senior officials of the European Council and Parliament, primarily in Brussels. The France delegation (July 15-18) will be headed by former Justice Minister Kang Keumsil, joined by lawmakers Han Byungdo and Chun Junho. The United Kingdom delegation (July 16-19) will be led by lawmaker Choo Mi-ae, with Choi Minhee and Park Sunwon included. The India delegation (July 16-19) will be centered around former Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum, with Supreme Council member Song Soonho and lawmaker Lee Gaeho as members.
The selection of figures such as former Minister Yoon, former Minister Kang, former Prime Minister Kim, and lawmaker Choo?who represent a broad spectrum of political camps and factions?as heads of each delegation sends a clear message that diplomacy will be approached from the perspective of national interest and practical capabilities, rather than as an extension of domestic political alignments.
Meanwhile, on July 13, at the opening ceremony of the International Political Science Association World Congress held at COEX in Seoul, President Lee defined the series of events following the declaration of the December 3 Martial Law as an "insurrection," criticizing it as stemming from "a futile desire to annihilate opponents and maintain permanent rule." President Lee remarked, "Citizens who surrounded the National Assembly stood up to armored vehicles and firearms with their bare bodies, and lawmakers encouraged each other to climb over the National Assembly walls to push for the lifting of martial law."
President Lee emphasized the need to move toward a "future-oriented democracy," stating, "I believe that the already unfolding artificial intelligence (AI) revolution will further advance digital democracy, providing a useful foundation for rational debate, democratic decision-making, and the strengthening of direct democracy."
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