[Sponsored Report] Envoys and ex-foreign ministers to address global ills

Politicians, academics, and other leaders in social and economic fields gather at the 9th Jeju Forum in 2014 at the Haevichi Hotel & Resort in Seogwipo, Jeju. Provided by the Jeju Peace Institute

Heads of several diplomatic missions in Korea are scheduled to hold an intimate “Ambassadors’ Roundtable” on May 22 at the Jeju Forum where they will discuss global issues.

Beginning with a keynote speech by Korea’s 2nd Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Tae-yul, the session will feature U.S. Ambassador Mark Lippert, Japanese Ambassador Koro Bessho, Russian Ambassador Alexander Timonin and German Ambassador Rolf Mafael who will discuss diplomatic solutions to pressing issues of the day. The ambassadors of New Zealand, Egypt, Ireland and Cambodia will also participate as guests.

The session will be moderated by Rep. Na Kyung-won, chair of the National Assembly’s Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee.

Expanding on the theme “Toward a New Asia of Trust and Harmony,” the session will explore issues such as the China-led Asia Infrastructure Investment Bank, counterterrorism cooperation and responses to other geopolitical and economic conflicts that global society faces today.

In parallel with that roundtable, at a “Foreign Ministers’ Meeting” on May 22, former Korean ministers of foreign affairs will also analyze current issues in Korean foreign policy in search of tangible, measurable solutions.

Moderated by Chun Yung-woo, chairman of the Korean Peninsula Future Forum and former presidential national security adviser, the session will headline former ministers Song Min-soon, Yu Myung-hwan and Kim Sung-hwan as panelists.

They will discuss issues such as the growing chill between South Korea and Japan, the Korea-US alliance and the deployment of the Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense (Thaad) missile defense system.

Concerns about the North Korean nuclear program and human rights issues will also be part of the session’s agenda.

Conducted in a Q&A discussion format, this year’s session will be open to the public.