I. Introduction

President Yim Sung-joon of the Korea Foundation and Distinguished Guests,

I would like to begin by expressing my sincere thanks to all of you for being here, so early in the morning. I am indeed very pleased to have a chance to offer these reflections on the foreign policy of Korea for 2009. And my thanks also go to the Korea Foundation and all those who have worked so hard to make this event possible.
 
Today I would like to offer some insights into how the Korean government will conduct its foreign policy in 2009. And, I would first like to reflect on what we have achieved in our diplomacy last year.　

2. Framework and Achievement of New Foreign Policy

During 2008, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade focused on building the new foreign policy framework. In our efforts to cope with the changing world order, the Korean Government has set a policy initiative to realize a truly “Global Korea," and has pursued a "creative and pragmatic" approach in our diplomacy in order to nurture Korea as an "advanced and prestigious” country.

As a result, the new administration has achieved notable outcomes in its diplomacy last year. Above although active summit diplomacy, we have enhanced our bilateral relations with our neighboring countries and further strengthened our friendly and cooperative relations with countries all around the world.

Korea agreed with the U.S. to develop the ROK-U.S. alliance into a "21st Century Strategic Alliance" and with Japan to build a "Future Oriented Mature Partnership." We also established "Strategic Cooperative Partnerships" with China and Russia. In this way, our efforts have proved highly fruitful in terms of building a framework for strategic cooperation with our four neighboring countries.
  
Moreover, Korea has promoted "New Asia Cooperative Diplomacy" with Asian countries including ASEAN. The Government also expanded cooperation in the natural resources and energy field with countries in Central Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Latin America. Korea has also exerted sincere efforts to lay the groundwork to expand our global networks, for example by developing our relationship with the EU into a "Comprehensive Partnership".
Also, Korea played an active part in the international arena by participating in the G8 Toyako Summit in July and the G20 Washington Financial Summit in November, thus contributing in the discussions on global governance with a view to dealing with global issues.

3. Korea's Diplomatic Environment in 2009

As I pointed to earlier, in 2008, we concentrated on outlining the foreign policy of the new administration. This year, we will fine-tune our foreign policy with a view to further advancing our diplomacy. However, circumstances both within the country and abroad are not all too favorable for our efforts.
 
In particular, as a consequence of the financial crisis, the economic and trade environment continues to face hardships. And there are uncertainties in the political and security environment as well. The new foreign policy lines of the new U.S. administration are expected to bring changes in the international order. And uncertainties surrounding the North Korean nuclear issue are also a factor of instability on the Korean Peninsula.

The financial crisis, which started in the U.S., has spread to every corner of the world, bringing to our attention still more keenly the need for international cooperation. In the discussions on ways to overcome the current economic crisis at the Davos Forum last month, international cooperation was emphasized as a crucial factor. Leaders anticipated that multilateral cooperation among the G20 and others will be the crucial key in overcoming the current economic crisis.

Against such a backdrop, the ROK Government will actively take part in shaping a new international order and make various efforts to overcome the current challenges. Just as we established a standing as a country with great strengths in the field of Information-Technology by responding swiftly to the shift to the information age, we will strive to realize our goal of becoming a truly "Global Korea" through active participation in global governance.

4. Direction of Korean Foreign Policy in 2009

【Revitalizing the Economy】

I would now like to elaborate on the direction of our foreign policy for this year. The Foreign Ministry has set three priority tasks to respond to the changing diplomatic environment and reported them to the President at the beginning of this year. They are: first, revitalizing the economy, second, further developing the ROK-U.S. Strategic Alliance, and third, making substantial progress in the North Korean nuclear issue.

First, and foremost, the Foreign Ministry will pursue diplomatic efforts to revitalize our economy, seeking to work together to unite in our efforts to alleviate the difficulties faced by the people in the current economic crisis. In this vein, we will actively participate in international discussions such as at the G20 Financial Summit and continue to work closely with major economies to prevent protectionism. We will step up promotional campaigns to enhance our international credit standing, and expand our participation in international financial institutions. And concrete steps are being taken, including the dispatch of a Presidential Special Envoy to various countries to facilitate Korea’s joining of the Financial Stability Forum (FSF).  

Furthermore, we will concentrate on the early conclusion and ratification of the FTAs with the U.S., the EU, and India and actively participate in international efforts for an early conclusion of the DDA negotiations, paving the way to expand our export markets in the future. Also, MOFAT will assist Korean companies to expand their export markets and also win contracts by sending additional delegations to explore new markets. As such, assisting in the efforts to overcome the economic crisis will be a top priority for us.

【Further Developing the ROK-US Strategic Alliance】

Secondly, with the launch of the new U.S. administration, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade will step up efforts to further enhance the ROK-U.S. Strategic Alliance. The visit to Korea by Secretary Clinton will present a valuable opportunity for in-depth discussions on matters of mutual interest including the development of the ROK-U.S. alliance and the North Korean nuclear issue. Through close consultations with the new Obama administration, we will endeavor to develop the ROK-U.S. alliance into a '21st Century Strategic Alliance', strengthening mutual cooperation not only in the realm of security, but in the political, social, cultural and economic fields as well.

Korea and the U.S. will work closely together in pursuing alliance readjustment projects, such as burden sharing. Based on our robust security posture, we will strive to further enhance the ROK-U.S. alliance. As both sides have expressed their firm support for the strengthening of the alliance and the development of future-oriented relations, I believe that the two nations can make smooth progress in developing our alliance into a Strategic Alliance for the 21st Century.

【Substantial Progress in the North Korean Nuclear Issue】

Thirdly, MOFAT will seek to make substantial progress in the North Korean nuclear issue. 2008 came to an end without an agreement on a Verification Protocol at the Six-Party Talks held in December. Accordingly, this year we are faced with the task of completing the second phase of denuclearization and embarking on the third phase.

With the goal of making substantive progress in denuclearization, including the setting up of a verification mechanism, the Ministry will strengthen cooperation and coordination with the other members of the Six-Party Talks. In particular, we will consult closely with the new U.S. administration to come up with both a short-term and a longer-term macro strategy to resolve the North Korean nuclear issue.

Developments will be made in inter-Korean relations according to progress made on the denuclearization of North Korea, based on the principle of "mutual benefits and common prosperity."  In this way, efforts will be made to ensure that the North Korean nuclear issue and inter-Korean relations will progress hand in hand in a positive direction.

However, North Korea denounced our government in a New Year editorial and said in a statement on January 17 that it was adopting "an all-out confrontational posture", and warned of a "strong military retaliatory step". Moreover, last weekend, North Korea hurled invective against the Korean government and incited anti-government struggles against us. We have continuously urged the North to stop its useless denouncements and provocative actions and come back to the dialogue table without pre-conditions. 

【The Realization of an Advanced and Prestigious Country】

While focusing on the three priority tasks of: revitalizing the economy, further developing the ROK-U.S. strategic alliance, and achieving substantial progress in the North Korean nuclear issue, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade will continue to strive to become an "advanced and prestigious country" in other areas of interests as well. 
 
In this vein, the Foreign Ministry will seek to further reinforce our relations with the four neighboring countries: the U.S, Japan, China and Russia. The visit by Prime Minister Taro Aso last January and Foreign Minister Nakasone on the 11th of this month served to strengthen the foundation for the promotion of new ties of friendship between Korea and Japan. We agreed to strengthen economic and cultural cooperation and person-to-person exchanges. The Foreign Ministry will continue to make efforts this year to strengthen cooperation with our neighboring countries in such a way as to contribute to peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula as well as to revitalize our economy.

Furthermore, we will seek to establish a global network for cooperation with the rest of the world. With the establishment of the Korea-Arab Society last year and the opening of the Korea-ASEAN Center next month, we are seeking to forge bonds of mutual cooperation with nations in ASEAN and the Middle East. In particular, we are exerting utmost efforts to ensure the successful hosting of the Korea-ASEAN Summit in Jeju Island this June. This year we will reach out to more countries and further enhance our cooperative relations with them.

Thirdly, we will spare no efforts in creating a new engine for growth. We will focus on expanding global FTA networks, and strengthening resource and energy cooperation, and in particular building international consensus for our policy of 'Low Carbon, Green Growth.' We will host the "East Asia Climate Forum"  slated for June this year here in Seoul and present a model of 'Low Carbon, Green Growth' applicable to developing countries. We will also actively take part in the UN climate change negotiations.

Fourth, commensurate with our enhanced economic capacity, we will seek to enhance our role and standing as a responsible member of the international community. As a part of such efforts, we will seek to increase participation in international organizations, for example by making a bid to serve as a non-permanent member of the Security Council in 2013. Korea also will seek to play our part as a responsible member of the international community by gradually expanding our PKO deployment from the current level of about 400 personnel. And we plan to join the OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC) by the year 2010 to further advance our ODA system. We will continue to take part in international efforts to promote human rights and democracy. Furthermore, Korea will continue to engage in bilateral cultural exchanges through the hosting of cultural events with countries in Latin America and the Arab world.

Last but not least, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade will improve the quality of consular services by establishing the online tourist registration service and the public-private cooperative body to enhance the safety of Korean nationals abroad.  We will seek to ensure the greatest possible security and convenience in the activities of our citizens overseas. MOFAT will continue to facilitate simpler visa arrangements for the convenience of Koreans traveling abroad. We will exert our utmost efforts to ensure that our diplomacy has a tangible impact on improving the lives of our people.

5. Conclusion
 
The financial crisis has affected every corner of the world and with the advance of globalization, we are keenly feeling its impact on our lives. As the world is increasingly inter-connected, one nation's risk becomes everyone's risk. Likewise, an opportunity for one nation can bring opportunities for all.

To respond swiftly to changes and challenges in this complex international environment, we will continue to spare no efforts to ensure that this time of crisis is indeed turned into a time of opportunity. We will pursue a "diplomacy of mutual benefit" to promote our national interest and at the same time contribute to the international community.

As Winston Churchill once said, “If we open a quarrel between the past and the present, we shall find that we have lost the future.” The Foreign Ministry will not focus on the past but rather on rising to the challenges of the future. We will keep forging ahead toward the future, focusing on the '3 Priority Tasks' and the '5 Major Tasks' in the year 2009. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade will seek to develop future-oriented relationships with many countries, and to contribute to the development of the international community. In this process, we look forward to your continued interest and support for our earnest diplomatic endeavors this year and beyond. Thank you.
 
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