Working to Bring Happiness
to the Global Community Korea,
Ministry of Foreign Affairs Republic of Korea
Working to Bring Happiness to the Global Community
We aim to usher in an era of happiness not only for the people of the Republic of Korea (ROK) and the Korean Peninsula, but for people throughout the global community.
Whereas the foreign policy of past governments emphasized the importance of the state, the emphasis of the Park Geun-hye government’s foreign policy is on the wellbeing of the people. This conforms to the global paradigm of an increased emphasis placed on human security. In this sense, the Park Geun-hye government is seeking to enhance happiness of individuals, which, in turn, will contribute to the national strength and global prosperity.
Today, the world knows no boundaries between countries. Rapidly changing situations around the world are influencing every corner of the globe in real time, calling for the international community’s swift and close cooperation on global challenges.
The Park Geun-hye government aiming to achieve a new era of hope is working to contribute to peace and co-prosperity of the international community by enhancing cooperation and building trust with countries around the world in a more creative and proactive manner.
The trustpolitik (trust diplomacy) of the Park Geun- hye government is based on Korea’s unique historical experience and realistic recognition of the realities surrounding the Korean Peninsula and Northeast Asia.
In the relationship among nation-states or in the formative process of a community, historical experiences tell us that sustainable cooperation always coincided with the existing level of trust. Trust is an asset of cooperation, a public infrastructure, and an indispensible requirement for genuine peace. Peace without trust is only a fragile, bogus peace. For trust to take root, a time-consuming process and consistency are required. Trustpolitik is an effort by which the infrastructure of trust is built so that cooperation can be induced at the highest level.
01
Trust, Peace and Security
Trust, Peace and Security
The Trust-Building Process on the Korean Peninsula and the Northeast Asia Peace and Cooperation Initiative of the new government are efforts to build lasting peace and cooperation on the Korean Peninsula and in Northeast Asia through trustpolitik.
The Trust-Building Process on the Korean Peninsula strives to safeguard peace by means of establishing a solid security posture that does not tolerate armed provocations by North Korea, as well as encouraging the North to take the path of trust-building to create enduring peace.
With this process of trust-building as our foremost priority, the ROK government will promote policies that generate a virtuous cycle consisting of trust-building, developing inter-Korean relations, establishing peace on the Korean peninsula, and laying the groundwork for unification.
In this process, the ROK government will also closely cooperate with the international community.
Based on the strong and firm Korea-US alliance, Korea is
working together with the US on the North Korean nuclear issue and other various issues. It is also in close coordination with other countries, including China, Japan and Russia. By doing so, Korea is seeking to create new visions for peace and cooperation in Northeast Asia.
The Northeast Asia Peace and Cooperation Initiative is a process that seeks to engage Northeast Asia in a multilateral framework for cooperation. Thus far, the region has lacked an effective multilateral cooperation mechanism.
The Initiative aims to build trust within the region by engaging the relevant countries in discussions and fostering cooperation in fields where it is feasible to do so, such as soft issues, and then gradually expanding the scope of cooperation. Ultimately, it is a concept that seeks to overcome conflict and tension and create a new culture of peace and cooperation in the region.
Building upon such efforts, Korea is expanding the horizon of its trust diplomacy beyond South Asia, the Pacific and Eurasia to Latin America, Africa, the Middle East and Central Asia.
Safe and Trustworthy Korea,
Contributing to Regional and World Peace
* Source : Ministry of Unification
• Directions for Implementation
Developing Inter-Korean Relations
Trust-Building Establishing
Peace on the Korean
Peninsula
Laying the Groundwork for
Unification
Objectives Principles
Policy directions
Initiatives
① Pursuing policies based on a solid foundation of security
② Building on trust by means of carrying out agreements
③ Shaping conditions to encourage the North’s right choices
④ Working on the basis of domestic and international trust Developing Inter-Korean
Relations Aligned Approach
Establishing Peace on the Peninsula Evolving North Korea
Policies
Laying the Groundwork for Unification International Cooperation
- Making continued efforts to address humanitarian issues - Establishing channels for inter-Korean dialogue and carrying out agreements - Expanding and developing mutually beneficial exchange and cooperation - Pursuing Vision Korea Projects
- Establishing a firm security posture to safeguard peace - Undertaking multi-faceted efforts to resolve the North Korean nuclear issue - Creating a DMZ World Peace Park
- Building political and military trust
- Inheriting and further developing the National Community Unification Formula
- Pursuing public engagement in endeavors for unification - Seeking improvements in North Korean residents’ quality of life - Promoting international support for Korean unification - Pursuing sustainable peace and development in Northeast Asia to 1. Normalizing inter-
Korean ties through trust-building 2. Sustainable peace on the Korean peninsula
3. Reinforcement of infrastructure for unification 4. Peaceful unification and the Northeast Asia
• Trust-Building Process on the Korean Peninsula
ROK and US Presidents' Joint Press Conference (May 2013)
ROK-US-Japan Foreign Ministers' Meeting (July 2013) Signing of the ROK-China Agreement on Visa Exemption
for Diplomatic Passport Holders (June 2013) ROK-Russia Foreign Ministers' Meeting (July 2013)
Global Agenda
Korea under the Park Geun-hye government seeks to take on a rightful responsibility and role in shaping various global agenda as a credible member of the international community.
In various multilateral fora such as the UN, the G-20, APEC, ASEM, and the EAS, Korea will seek to play an active role in the norm-forming process and will launch a mechanism for cooperation with similar sized middle- power states that share common values.
As can be seen, trustpolitik is a policy that seeks to form the relationship between Korea and the international community in a comprehensive manner. It aims to bring happiness not only to all habitants on the Korean Peninsula but also to Northeast Asia and the whole of humankind.
In this context, Korea is cooperating with the international community to cope with growing global challenges, including climate change, energy, food, poverty, peacekeeping, nuclear security and cyber security. It has actively participated in global efforts to address the future agenda by establishing the Global Green Growth Institute, hosting the Green Climate Fund,
joining the Arctic Council as a permanent observer and holding the Seoul Conference on Cyberspace 2013.
Also, Korea spares no efforts for development cooperation to build an era of global happiness.
As a recipient-turned-donor country, Korea takes full advantage of its unique development experiences to help developing countries eradicate poverty and pursue sustainable development. Especially, pursuing a recipient-oriented development cooperation policy, Korea has focused on the development of rural areas through sharing our successful development experiences, such as the Saemaul Undong or New Community Movement, with developing countries.
Korea also conducts a variety of ODA activities together with its people by facilitating private-public partnership through the Development Alliance Korea (DAK) and by dispatching World Friends Korea (WFK) consisting of volunteers abroad. As a responsible member of the OECD DAC (Development Assistance Committee), Korea cooperates with various multilateral development organizations such as the UNDP, the WFP and the World Bank as well as with other donor countries. Korea will continue to enhance effectiveness of ODA in close cooperation with its development partner countries.
Sharing and Caring Korea, Playing
an Active Role in Advancing Global Agenda
04 05
Global Agenda
Korea’s Contribution to UN PKO Korea's Total Net ODA
Côte d’Ivoire (UNOCI) Liberia
(UNMIL)
South Sudan (UNMISS)
Lebanon
(UNIFIL) Haiti
(MINUSTAH) Western Sahara
(MINURSO) Sudan/Darfur (UNAMID)
India, Pakistan
(UNMOGIP) * 631 Korean troops dispatched to 8 PKO missions as of 2013
(USD million)
(Source: OECD, International Development Statistics Online DB) 2003 2004 2006 2008 2010 2011 2012
1,551
1,325 1,174
802
423 455 366 Opening Ceremony of the Seoul Conference on Cyberspace 2013
(October 2013) Launch of MIKTA, a Cooperation Mechanism between Middle-Power Countries
(September 2013)
Foreign Minister Attends the UNSC High-Level
Meeting on Small Arms (September 2013) Hanbit Unit in South Sudan (July 2013) ROK Joins the Arctic Council as a Permanent Observer (May 2013)
Public Diplomacy
reflect Korea’s story of rapid economic growth and democratization. We too are riding the Korean Wave, partnering with Korea’s national media companies to host programs, such as “Quiz on Korea,” where 30 countries participated through our embassies, and the
“K-Pop World Festival,” where top singers of Korean pop music in South America, Africa and the Middle East have been invited to Korea for the finals on national TV.
While diplomatic missions abroad serve as outposts for cultural diplomacy, here at home, the Korean people are taking the lead in developing public diplomacy programs through citizen groups. Korea is also pursuing public diplomacy programs that will lead to jobs for young Korean people and conducting student internship programs at diplomatic missions abroad.
Korea will continue to communicate and engage with people in every corner of the world, contributing toward a more prosperous global community.
The new diplomatic paradigm of the 21st century is rooted in public diplomacy, which seeks to enhance mutual understanding between nations through people-to-people connections. This is done through the sharing of history, values and culture. As Korea tells its story to the world, we also tell the world’s story to the Korean people, seeking their participation in public diplomacy. In communicating and engaging with the world, Korea is reshaping our national image most consistent with today’s Korea – a vibrant economy, a thriving democracy, and a rich culture and history.
Korea is working on enacting legislation for public diplomacy and putting in place a system for cooperation among relevant government authorities.
Around the world, Korean diplomatic missions are holding cultural events, exhibitions and performances that showcase Korea’s history, traditions, commitment to education and economic development. Korea is also working with nations around the world to make sure their primary and secondary school textbooks
Open and Empathetic Korea, Communicating and Engaging with the World
Public Diplomacy
President Park's State Visit to Vietnam (September 2013)
Korean Dancers during the "All Nations Festival" in Berlin (June 2013)
Given the nature of a trust-building process that requires patience and long-term efforts, the Park Geun- hye government fully intends to avoid the trappings of temporary progress and setbacks, and apply consistent efforts throughout its entire 5-year term.
Through this effort, the Park Geun-hye government seeks to overcome the uncertainty of the transition period and contribute to the formation of a new Korean Peninsula, a new Asia and a new world.
Korea will take the lead in pursuing an era of happiness not only for the people in Korea and the Korean Peninsula but for people all over the world.
Building a Bridge of Happiness and Trust over the World
08 09
