“In October, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
▸ set the stage for ‘bridge diplomacy’ ahead of the APEC summit
▸ managed tensions on the Korean Peninsula and struck a balance between the US and China
▸ solidified its image as a ‘responsible middle power’ in global health and UN multilateral cooperation.”
1. Preparations for "bridge diplomacy" toward the APEC Gyeongju Summit
The APEC Gyeongju Summit, hosted by South Korea in late October and early November, was evaluated as a meeting that focused on digital transformation, AI, climate change, and supply chain resilience
under the theme of "Connect, Innovate, and Prosper. "
International experts analyzed that this APEC meeting put
Korea's "bridge diplomacy" to the test to ease the conflict between the US and China . East Asia Forum
From the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' perspective, October can be seen as
"a month of preparation, coordinating the agenda and wording as the APEC host and intensively engaging in preparatory diplomatic warfare with the US, China, Japan, and ASEAN." (The Korea Times)
2. Minister Cho Hyun's contribution - Formalizing the principle of 'pragmatic diplomacy'
On October 31, Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Hyun
published a special contribution to Foreign Relations on the topic of "Practical Diplomacy Based on National Interest." UNESCO
Diagnosis of the "post-post Cold War" phase , where the post-Cold War order is shaken and
existing norms are weakened by US-China competition, the Ukraine War, and conflicts in the Middle East.
UNESCO emphasized the need for a strategy that combines bilateral and multilateral diplomacy
among the U.S., China, Japan, and Russia, with national interests
and a perception of reality as the basis for Korean diplomacy, not ideology.
→ The month that became the baseline for tying together October's diplomatic issues (North Korean missiles, APEC, triangular cooperation, etc.)
into a single narrative called "pragmatic diplomacy . "
3. Managing Tensions on the Korean Peninsula – North Korea's Missiles and Military Parade vs. Alliance and Trilateral Cooperation
On October 10, North Korea
unveiled its new ICBM, the Hwasong-20, at a military parade marking the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Workers' Party, demonstrating its multiple warhead and solid-fuel capabilities,
demonstrating its ability to strike the US mainland. (AP News)
On October 21, North Korea launched a ballistic missile into the East Sea for the first time in five months, a move interpreted as a strategic signal to assert its presence
just before the APEC and Northeast Asia diplomatic events . (Politico)
Prior to this, South Korea, the US, and Japan conducted the joint exercise "Freedom Edge" in September,
demonstrating integrated missile defense, naval, and air force capabilities and highlighting
the effectiveness of trilateral security cooperation . (AP News)
→ The Ministry of Foreign Affairs
While maintaining deterrence based on the ROK-US alliance and ROK-US-Japan cooperation,
A situation where we must manage a 'dual-track' message that simultaneously opens the door to communication with China and Russia and to resuming dialogue between North and South Korea and North Korea and the United States .
4. UN and Global Governance – Strengthening the Image of a "Responsible Middle Power"
Busan UN Day 80th Anniversary Commemoration Ceremony
Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Kim Jin-ah attended the UN 80th anniversary event held in Busan on October 23-24 , emphasizing
Korea's
role as a "responsible global partner" in areas such as peacekeeping, support for developing countries, climate change, and human rights . at.mofa.go.kr
Korea-Global Funding Forum
The "Korea–Global Fund Procurement Forum," co-hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Global Fund on October 22,
provided support for Korean companies entering the global healthcare procurement market. py.mofa.go.kr
Introduced as a "representative example of pragmatic diplomacy based on national interests" that simultaneously pursues multilateral health cooperation and Korean corporate exports . py.mofa.go.kr
→ October diplomacy will position
Korea as a “contributing country providing norms, resources, and technology” rather than a “security beneficiary” through multilateral diplomacy encompassing security, economy, health, and development .
5. Korea-US Business Visa and Travel Working Group – Economic and Consular Agenda
The second meeting of the Korea-US Business Travel and Visa Working Group was officially announced at a spokesperson's briefing on October 21 (online on October 22). Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Improve the visa system for Korean businesspeople traveling to the United States and staying in the United States, and establish a channel
for relevant ministries of both countries to regularly review visa and travel-related issues . Ministry of Foreign Affairs
→ An example of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs clearly indicating its direction to manage consular and visa issues as “economic diplomacy infrastructure.”
6. Korea-Japan Relations – Restoring Public Opinion Through the 60th Anniversary "News Agency" Project
To commemorate the 60th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between Korea and Japan, the
"New Joseon Tongsinsa Bicycle Expedition" project will depart on October 27th,
traveling to Gyeongju, Busan, and Osaka before arriving in Tokyo on November 11th. at.mofa.go.kr+1
Designed as a "public diplomacy program with citizen participation," this program will involve 30 citizens running along the old Tongsinsa Road,
experiencing historical and cultural exchange. at.mofa.go.kr
→ An attempt to reinterpret Korea-Japan relations as a “continuation of long-standing exchanges” rather than as a security, economic, or historical conflict .
1. United States
Points of Interest
How are the Taiwan Strait, Free and Open Indo-Pacific, and Supply Chains phrases reflected in the APEC agenda and outcomes ?
How the foreign ministers of South Korea, the US, and Japan will conduct trilateral talks during APEC (North Korea cooperation, China message) newsonair.gov.in
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is investigating whether the Business Visa Working Group actually helps U.S. investment and factory operations.
“South Korea is expanding the ‘third pillar’ of the ROK-U.S. alliance to include economic, technological, and supply chain cooperation, and is strengthening its role as a strategic partner
encompassing North Korea’s nuclear program, the Indo-Pacific region, and trade .”
2. Japan
Points of Interest
Following the Busan-Tokyo Summit, will the "social issues cooperation" on aging, regional extinction, and youth exchange actually lead to follow-up measures? KOREA CENTRE
Can public opinion-based exchanges, such as the Telecom Bicycle Project, mitigate historical and territorial conflicts? at.mofa.go.kr
“ We repeatedly emphasize that Korea and Japan are not security and economic competitors, but rather partners who must work together to address common challenges
such as a super-aging society, regional extinction, and a shortage of skilled workers .”
3. China
Points of Interest
An assessment of Korea's position between the US and China in APEC :
whether it is a "bridge" or a "joining camp. " East Asia Forum
Interpreting the Signals of South Korea-US-Japan-North Korea Cooperation
as an "Anti-China Bloc" or Limited Security Cooperation AP News
"While South Korea is a value-based ally that values freedom, norms, and human rights, it has consistently communicated
its commitment to maintaining stable economic and people-to-people exchanges with China
. By emphasizing 'supply chain stability' and 'inclusive growth' on the APEC agenda, we are crafting a message that China can also accept."
4. ASEAN, the Global South, and developing countries
Points of Interest
How much does Korea
reflect the global priorities of others (food, health, debt, climate, and digital divide) in APEC, the G20, and the UN? koreaonpoint.org
How do health ODA+corporate advancement packages , such as the Korea-Global Fund Forum ,
actually contribute to the health systems of developing countries? (py.mofa.go.kr)
Emphasize the narrative that “Korea
is evolving from an aid recipient country to a ‘bridge donor country’ that provides experience, technology, and private enterprises.”
5. North Korea and Russia
Points of Interest
AP News : What is South Korea's stance on
easing sanctions on North Korea and on Russia-North Korea military cooperation during the APEC and UN events ?
It is necessary to clearly manage the point that “South Korea will maintain a ‘two-track’ approach that maintains the principles of zero tolerance for North Korea’s nuclear program and implementation of sanctions , while not closing the door to resuming dialogue.”
Korean perspective
“In October, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
prepared the stage for ‘bridge diplomacy’ ahead of the APEC Gyeongju Summit,
managed the security crisis surrounding North Korea, the US, China, and Japan, and strengthened its image as a ‘responsible middle power’
through people-to-people exchanges with the UN, the Global Fund, and Korea and Japan
.”
Country-specific interest perspectives
The United States focuses on the substance of its alliances and trilateral cooperation,
China on South Korea's progress, and
ASEAN and the rest of the world on the sincerity of its health and development cooperation.
The weekly Ministry of Foreign Affairs' international cooperation policy communication briefing can serve as a tool to organize
these differing perspectives into a single narrative of "pragmatic diplomacy ."
