Lee Defines New Strategic Roles for Key Ministries
President Lee Jae-myung of South Korea said that the roles of ministers will be changed, making it clear who is in charge of the Unification and Foreign Ministries. The move comes after rumors of conflict inside the government over the country’s North Korea strategy.
Lee stressed that the Unification Ministry has to work on lowering tensions between the two Koreas and finding ways to talk and work together with Pyongyang again.
Unification Ministry Tasked With Rebuilding Trust With North
Lee asked the Unification Ministry to take the lead in efforts to build even a little trust between the two Koreas. He told authorities to be patient and take steps to reduce long-standing antagonism.
The president talked about the mounting tension along the demilitarized zone, pointing to North Korea’s new obstacles and road restrictions as signs of rising nervousness and political posturing.
Foreign Ministry to Lead South Korea’s Economic Diplomacy
Lee told the Foreign Ministry that diplomacy is an important part of economic strategy and prosperity. He noted that because of more rivalry in commerce and investment throughout the world, foreign involvement is now more important.
Lee said that diplomacy was the key to “expanding economic territory,” and he linked foreign ties directly to national wealth and the competitiveness of American businesses.
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Clarifying Tensions Between Ministries Over North Korea Policy
People have seen that the two ministries have been having trouble deciding which one should take the lead in improving ties between North and South Korea. People saw Lee’s declaration as an obvious attempt to fix this bureaucratic mess.
Lee wants to make government planning and decision-making more efficient by giving the Unification Ministry the job of talking to people and the Foreign Ministry the job of keeping an eye on international coordination.
Acknowledging Past Failures and Policy Shifts
Lee said that previous administrations had not handled North Korea well and that their actions had made the situation worse. He called the situation “a kind of karma” that has to be fixed immediately via practical and constant involvement.
The president noted that even tiny acts of communication might lead to peace and coexistence if they are done with honesty and determination.
Diplomacy Framed as a Security and Peace Instrument
Lee said that diplomacy is now very important for commerce and the economy, as well as for keeping the peace in the region. He remarked that “the most certain security policy” is peace and that diplomacy is the key to keeping it going.
The remark is backed by Seoul’s larger plan to use diplomacy as both an economic and military instrument as the political situation in East Asia changes.
Overseas Missions to Advance Cultural and Economic Influence
The president told South Korea’s abroad embassies to be the “bridgehead and vanguard” for improving cultural diplomacy and business relations. He suggested that embassies and consulates should actively promote Korean culture while looking for new business prospects.
This advice fits with Lee’s goal of utilizing diplomacy to make South Korea more powerful and stable by working together for mutual benefit and peace.
