By Diplomacy Journal Kayla Lee 

Foreign Minister Cho Hyun delivered a lecture titled “Key Focus Areas and Direction of the New Administration's Foreign Policy” to the diplomatic corps in Korea at the “2025 First High-Level Policy Lecture for Ambassadors to Korea” on September 4.

The ‘High-Level Policy Lecture for Ambassadors to Korea’ is a regular lecture platform established by the Korea National Diplomatic Academy to enhance foreign understanding and support for key policies of the Korean government.

Minister Cho served as the speaker for this year's inaugural event. As this was the first exchange event for the entire diplomatic corps since Minister Cho took office, it drew significant interest, with representatives from over 100 countries' missions in Korea attending.

Minister Cho Hyun first expressed gratitude to the diplomatic corps for their consistent trust in Korea's democratic resilience and the strength of its people during the process of overcoming last year's crisis democratically and peacefully following the declaration of a state of emergency.

Furthermore, Minister Cho stated that the Korean government will patiently strive to end the era of confrontation and hostility on the Korean Peninsula and usher in a new era of peaceful coexistence and shared prosperity.

He further emphasized that through ‘practical diplomacy centered on national interests,’ Korea will flexibly respond to rapidly changing international circumstances, strengthen bridges with countries worldwide, including neighboring nations, and seek diverse cooperation to advance mutual interests.

Simultaneously, he pledged Korea's role in addressing global challenges such as climate change and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Minister Cho introduced that South Korea, as the September President of the UN Security Council, plans to host an open debate chaired by President Lee Jae-myung focusing on artificial intelligence. He also encouraged continued interest and support for the 2025 APEC Summit. Finally, Minister Cho requested that the diplomatic corps in Korea show great interest in K-Culture.

Today's lecture is evaluated as an opportunity to actively communicate our new administration's foreign policy to the diplomatic corps in Korea and to further strengthen communication and cooperation between the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the ambassadors through direct exchange of views.

Korea National Diplomatic Academy plans to continue providing venues for close communication with the diplomatic corps in Korea not only on our foreign policy but also on various policy areas of our government.