The Ministry of Foreign Affairs held the 2025 Policy Advisory Committee plenary meeting on December 15 at Seohui Hall on the 18th floor of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building. The meeting was attended by over 120 people, including First Vice Minister Park Yoon-joo, Second Vice Minister Kim Jin-ah, senior officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Policy Advisory Committee Chairman Kang Won-taek. The event included a welcome speech by Vice Minister Park, a response by Chairman Kang, presentations by senior officials, a free discussion among participants, and closing remarks by Vice Minister Kim.
In his welcome speech, Vice Minister Park introduced the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ practical diplomacy prioritizing national interests since the inauguration of the Lee Jae-myung administration. He highlighted the achievements of multilateral diplomacy, including five summit meetings from the G7 to the recent G20, and over 35 bilateral summits, which strengthened cooperation in various fields such as supply chains, shipbuilding, energy, and defense. He also mentioned significant achievements like securing U.S. support for commercial enrichment, reprocessing rights, and the construction of nuclear-powered submarines.
Vice Minister Park emphasized that the goal of all diplomatic activities is to enhance national power, and becoming a more competent and competitive partner based on this enhanced power will lead to a virtuous cycle of expanding opportunities for national interest. He requested the support and insights of the advisory committee members in this process.
Participants expressed their agreement with the government’s efforts to pursue practical diplomacy centered on national interests and emphasized the importance of continuity in foreign policy. They actively exchanged opinions on the need for diversified diplomacy, preparations for next year’s Korea-Central Asia summit, responses to U.S.-China relations, maritime issues, the status of CPTPP membership, protection of overseas citizens, prevention of overseas incidents, the need to expand the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ organization and budget, and the need to strengthen diplomats’ capabilities in special foreign languages and regional expertise. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs plans to further activate regular communication through meetings of 20 subcommittees to use the advisory committee members’ insights in policy.