By Diplomacy Journal Lee Jon-young

Trust. When this one word is broken, even the strongest national power loses its persuasiveness, and even the most eloquent diplomatic messages return as empty echoes. Today's international society is a complex web of intertwined national interests. Consequently, "consistency between words and actions" plays a greater role in diplomacy than ever before.

However, reality is different. A "Myeonjongbokbae (面從腹背 outwardly obedient, yet inwardly betraying) attitude— is evident throughout international relations. This duplicity in diplomacy recurs not only between nations but also in domestic politics and society. While public discourse emphasizes fairness, unofficially, the pursuit of self-interest lurks, and superficial agreements are punctuated by hidden conditions and double standards. While such discord may yield short-term benefits, it ultimately damages the nation's credibility and image in the international community.

The Buddhist concept of the “Samupcheongjeong (三業淸淨) —the state of unity of words, actions, and intentions—is not a principle of practice applicable only to individuals. The same holds true for nations. If a nation's words differ from its actions, and its actions differ from its intentions, it will be difficult for it to be trusted. A nation without trust will lose its power on the diplomatic stage. In 2025, national image and international credibility represent "intangible power," a force that operates faster and more powerfully than military or economic power.

These intangible assets take time to build, but once destroyed, they vanish in an instant. Therefore, we must ask ourselves: How sincere are our words? How honest are our actions? How transparent is our sincerity to the world? An era that outwardly speaks of cooperation while inwardly betraying our principles will not last long.

Whether for nations or individuals, the ultimate power that remains is "trust." The path to maintaining that trust is not grand. It involves aligning words with actions, choosing long-term honor over short-term gain, and adhering to the simple principles of aligning the exterior and the interior.

The international community is no longer fooled by formal diplomacy. Only countries with sincerity, leaders who uphold truth, and communities whose words and actions align will seize the initiative in 21st-century diplomacy. The moment trust is broken, diplomacy loses its power. However, for a country that maintains trust, no border, no barrier stands in the way.