‘One-eyed diplomacy’
An organization planning to hold a seminar in Germany also faces a dilemma. They planned a banquet, but it would be a challenge to prepare a meal for less than 30,000 won per person considering local prices.
While the direction of the regulation is desirable and right, various problems arose after the Kim Young-ran Act came into effect. Meetings between those who are subject to the law and foreigners are often tricky.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs predicted the problem and announced the Kim Young-ran Act guideline on September 25. It states that meal cost limits would not be applied to diplomatic events, as the price restriction may hinder diplomatic efforts.
But the guideline has a tricky provision, “only for civil servants, including diplomats.” It means that scholars, journalists and civil organization staffs are excluded. It practically means that only diplomats can be invited to embassy events.
Public diplomacy emphasizing exchanges with citizens is highlighted nowadays. It is backward and outdated to only allow diplomatic channels with civil servants.
Former US Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara, considered the architect of the Vietnam War, listed the “Eleven Major Causes for the Disaster in Vietnam.”
One of the main causes was “our misjudgments of friend and foe, alike, reflected our profound ignorance of the history, culture, and politics of the people in the area, and the personalities and habits of their leaders.” The United States focused on the elites in South Vietnam and failed to understand public sentiment. If the United States had known how people really felt, the war would have been over sooner. There are many sensitive issues involving neighboring countries, from the North Korean nuclear threat to comfort women to Thaad.
There can be discrepancy between the stance of the government and understanding of the general public. But only listening to diplomats could lead to misunderstanding of the sentiment of the Korean society and result in absurd responses.
Only allowing meetings with civil servants is virtually forcing “one-eyed diplomacy.” It is better to not see at all than seeing with one eye.
JoongAng Ilbo, Oct. 11, Page 35
*The author is an editorial writer of the JoongAng Ilbo.
NAM JEONG-HO
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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