Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Tae-yul delivered a special lecture during the opening ceremony of the 10th Global Korean Politicians Forum on Tuesday, August 20. In his lecture, Minister Cho elaborated on Korea’s diplomacy as a Global Pivotal State to overseas Korean politicians actively working around the world and urged them to continue serving as a bridge between Korean communities abroad and the homeland.

The Global Korean Politicians Forum is a significant event where overseas Korean politicians from across the globe gather to explore ways of mutual development between Korea and the countries they reside in. The forum also aims to promote the rights and interests of Korean communities. The forum is hosted by the Overseas Korean Politicians Council (led by Canadian Senator, Yonah Martin) and sponsored by the Overseas Koreans Cooperation Center. Since its inception in 2007, the forum has contributed to enhancing the unity of the Korean diaspora and fostering amicable relationships between Korea and various countries.

In his lecture, Minister Cho discussed Korea's diplomacy as a Global Pivotal State, highlighting efforts to reinforce the country's diplomatic safety net in preparation for uncertain geopolitical shifts by building bilateral relationships with like-minded countries, as well as establishing minilateral networks through forums like Korea-U.S.-Japan and Korea-Japan-China cooperation mechanisms, the G7, and NATO. Minister Cho also mentioned that Korea is deepening cooperation with G7 countries that have led the rules-based international order and emphasized that if Korea is in the same boat with the G7, it provides strong support for the global Korean diaspora.

Additionally, Minister Cho addressed the situation in North Korea, which has declared the ROK its primary adversary and denied the idea of ethnic unity or unification. He acknowledged the poignant sadness this causes to many overseas Koreans. Referring to President Yoon Suk Yeol’s August 15 Liberation Day speech, he reiterated the government’s commitment to realizing the vision of freedom-based unification by strengthening the values and capabilities ourselves, encouraging the North Korean people’s desire for unification, and securing international support. He called on the Korean diaspora to take special interest in countering the spread of the mistaken belief that “the South and North are inherently separate.”

Finally, Minister Cho expressed hope that the forum would strengthen the identity and bonds as Koreans and foster friendships beyond nationality and cultural barriers. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to systematically supporting the 7 million overseas Koreans through the Overseas Koreans Agency established last year.

This year’s forum marks its 10th, with the first event held in 2007. The forum runs from Tuesday, August 20 to Friday, August 23, for four days. Ninety-six overseas Korean politicians from 14 countries are participating, exchanging extensive views on the roles of Korean politicians in various fields and discussing practical ways to enhance the political influence of Korean communities abroad.