Background of Lee Gaeho's Appointment as Presidential Special Envoy to India

Lee Jaemyung Administration Signals Restart of Diplomacy
Strategic Appointment for Letter Delivery and Expanded Cooperation
Behind-the-Scenes Negotiations Reflecting President's Strong Trust
Focus on Whether Party Standing and Role Will Expand

Lee Gaeho, member of the Democratic Party of Korea.

Lee Gaeho, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea representing Damyang, Hampyeong, Yeonggwang, and Jangseong in South Jeolla Province, is set to visit India from July 16 to 19 as a "presidential special envoy." This has drawn significant attention from local residents regarding the background of his appointment.

Special envoys are dispatched with the important mission of delivering the president's letter to representatives of the counterpart country, establishing bilateral relations, and conducting behind-the-scenes negotiations by conveying the president's intentions. The prevailing view in both political and government circles is that it is virtually impossible to be selected for such a role without the strong trust of President Lee Jaemyung.

This dispatch of special envoys marks the new administration's first strategic diplomatic move on the international stage since President Lee took office. It is also seen as a declaration of "Korea's return" to the international community. On July 14, the European Union will receive a special envoy, followed by France on July 15, and the United Kingdom and India on July 16, with envoys being dispatched sequentially to these four major countries. The special envoy delegation to India consists of key figures from the ruling party, including former Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum (head of the delegation), Supreme Council member Song Soonho, and Lee Gaeho.

Lee Gaeho, who has extensive experience in agriculture, local government, and the National Assembly, has joined the Lee Jaemyung administration's renewed diplomatic efforts. His appointment is seen as a move to strengthen ties with the National Assembly and to facilitate close communication with the Indian side. In particular, as this year marks the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the "Special Strategic Partnership" between Korea and India, major agenda items for the visit are expected to include supply chain cooperation, linkage of key defense and military technologies, and the promotion of cultural and human exchanges.

The delegation will deliver President Lee's letter and directly express Korea's intention to expand cooperation to key local figures. Lee Gaeho is expected to present the president's letter to the Indian side and, at the same time, discuss the significance of the June 3 presidential election, the new administration's foreign policy direction, and the vision for peace on the Korean Peninsula. This goes beyond a simple promise of cooperation and is intended to explain Korea's political situation and diplomatic and security strategies, as well as to build trust between the two countries.

Drawing on his political experience in agriculture and regional affairs, Lee Gaeho is expected to play a strategic role in expanding practical cooperation with India and explaining the early presidential election and President Lee's vision for peace on the Korean Peninsula.

Attention is focused on whether Lee Gaeho, whose standing within the party had diminished significantly after a defeat in a by-election for a local office in his constituency earlier this year, will be able to expand his role through this appointment as special envoy to India.