Parliamentary speaker calls for more understanding of public diplomacy

Yonhap, "Parliamentary speaker calls for more understanding of public diplomacy," koreatimes; see also.

Chung Sye-kyun image from

National Assembly Speaker Chung Sye-kyun on Wednesday called for more efforts to enhance people's understanding of public diplomacy, which he stressed is a requirement for "long-term, consistent" foreign policy implementation.

During a forum on the subject, Chung also underscored that citizens are the core asset in carrying out public diplomacy, as the increasingly crucial external policy tool aims to court the goodwill of foreigners mostly through civilian exchange and activities.

"Whereas the government is at the center of traditional diplomacy, public diplomacy is a realm where the activities of the National Assembly, provincial governments and the civil sectors are all important," he said during the forum at the National Assembly.

"We should not forget that people can engage in various exchanges that can lead to winning over the minds of people living abroad," he added.

The forum was arranged a day before the enforcement of the public diplomacy act.

On Tuesday, the Cabinet endorsed an enforcement ordinance of the act concerning procedures and protocols for the formulation and implementation of public diplomacy policies and the establishment of a public diplomacy council.

Public diplomacy refers to a variety of activities involving civilians and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), which are designed to promote the positive image of a country to ultimately help advance national interests.