1. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade presented to President Lee Myung-bak on January 5 in the Central Government Complex Annex its 2012 Annual Work Plan, which focuses on four priority tasks with the aim of realizing the vision in the ROK Government’s diplomacy of a “Global Korea.” Following the presentation, there was an in-depth discussion on “Global Korea and Diplomacy Aimed at Contributing to the Global Community.”

2. In the presentation, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Kim Sung-Hwan announced the following as the Foreign Ministry’s strategic keynotes for the year 2012: coping actively with the fluidity in the situation on the Korean Peninsula through a stronger network with neighboring countries; realizing a “Global Korea” that contributes to the global community and plays a leading role in addressing global issues; and seeking advanced diplomacy through the implementation of complex diplomacy.

3. Minister Kim explained that four priority tasks will be pursued to these ends -- security diplomacy that the public can trust; diplomacy that contributes to global co-prosperity; diplomacy that secures engines for future growth; and diplomacy that serves the public.

[Security diplomacy that the public can trust]

- Maintain peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula in preparation against a possible increase in the fluidity in the situation on the Peninsula
- Secure substantial progress towards the denuclearization of North Korea
- Further develop the stronger-than-ever ROK-US alliance
- Deepen strategic cooperation with neighboring countries, including China, Japan and Russia

 
[Diplomacy that contributes to global co-prosperity]

- Contribute to the promotion of world peace through the successful hosting of the Nuclear Security Summit and seeking to serve as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council
- Contribute to the international community through development cooperation
- Firmly establish the image of a charming country by strengthening its soft power such as through the Hallyu (Korean wave); promoting public diplomacy; and helping to ensure the success of the 2012 Yeosu Expo

[Diplomacy that secures engines for future growth]

- Contribute to the creation of jobs by actively utilizing the already-concluded FTAs
- Seek to complete domestic and overseas processes required for the smooth implementation of the FTAs with the US and the EU
- Pursue potential FTAs with China, Japan, Indonesia and Vietnam
- Expand cooperation in the fields of energy and resources as well as diplomatic activities in the field of green growth
- Support the entry of ROK companies into emerging markets by providing them with customized overseas support services; easing trade regulations; and establishing additional diplomatic missions.

[Diplomacy that serves the public]

- Promote the overseas presence as well as the rights and interests of ROK nationals by increasing the number of partner countries in the Working Holiday Program; supporting the orderly holding of elections by ROK nationals overseas; and enhancing the operations of the MOFAT emergency response teams
- Secure public support for key foreign policies through closer communication using new media.

4. In the in-depth discussion on “Global Korea and Diplomacy Aimed at Contributing to the Global Community,” the participants recognized the need for the ROK to carry out diplomatic activities in a way that serves global interests and befits the country’s global standing, and agreed to explore new and creative ways to do so in the main fields, in which it makes a valuable contribution, such as development, world peace and green growth.

° There was a lively discussion, focusing on the ROK’s contribution diplomacy to the global community which can secure the support of the public, with a number of working-level Foreign Ministry officials as well as the public participating through SNS and street interviews.

5. Following the report, President Lee Myung-bak met with junior officials of the Foreign Ministry in their 20s or 30s, the ROK’s future diplomatic leaders, to hear their aspirations and to offer encouragement.

6. Under the slogan of “With the People, Towards a Wider World,” the Foreign Ministry plans to pursue the four priority tasks, making full use of all available capacities and resources.

                                  Spokesperson and Deputy Minister for Public Relations of MOFAT

* unofficial translation