Latest news with #ChoTae-yul
UPI
13-06-2025
- Politics
- UPI
'An accidental cohabitation' -- or perhaps an opportunity
Conservative Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul (pictured) will accompany progressive President Lee Jae-myung to the upcoming G7 Summit in Canada. File Photo by Luong Thai Linh/EPA-EFE June 13 (UPI) -- There was once a popular Korean television program titled The Accidental Adult. First aired in 2013 and continuing for a decade until 2023, the talk show resonated deeply with audiences. It offered insights and wisdom for those who found themselves thrust into adulthood unprepared -- becoming grown-ups before truly acquiring the qualities expected of one. A similar phenomenon is now unfolding in South Korean politics. As of now, it appears highly likely that Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul will accompany President Lee Jae-myung to the upcoming G7 Summit in Canada from Sunday to Tuesday. The situation is noteworthy because Cho was appointed by former President Yoon Suk-yeol. If this scenario materializes, it will present a rare pairing of a progressive president with a conservative foreign minister on the global stage. This awkward and somewhat pitiable arrangement reflects the peculiar nature of the most recent presidential election. Due to the snap election, Lee took office without the usual transition period or a fully formed Cabinet. This has forced him to represent the nation at a major diplomatic summit -- his first international appearance as president-- without his own diplomatic team in place. In this context, he must rely on the foreign policy personnel of the previous administration. Typically, the National Security Office and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs lead the coordination of a president's diplomatic agenda. However, aside from appointing a national security adviser and a few aides, Lee has yet to complete key appointments. Even if a new foreign minister were named immediately, the time needed for confirmation hearings and legislative approval would be insufficient before the summit. As a result, Lee has little choice but to include Cho in his delegation, despite the awkward optics. A similar scenario could repeat itself if decides to attend the NATO Summit in the Netherlands on June 24 to 25. In effect, what we are witnessing is an "accidental left-right cohabitation." This is likely an uncomfortable arrangement for both the president and the foreign minister. During his first Cabinet meeting, Lee reportedly acknowledged the awkwardness and nonetheless urged ministers from the previous administration to do their best during their remaining time. The situation is unprecedented in modern Korean political history. Meanwhile, the G7 Summit presents a formidable series of diplomatic challenges for the new president. While multilateral meetings may be easier to navigate, bilateral or trilateral encounters -- such as with U.S. President Donald Trump or Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba -- will be significantly more sensitive. There is a real possibility of impromptu summits among South Korea, the United States and Japan. Given Trump's unpredictable style, such developments cannot be ruled out. Especially pressing are the looming trade negotiations between South Korea and the United States. The Trump administration has already announced a 25% reciprocal tariff on Korean goods, currently suspended until July 8. The G7 also could become a forum where the United States suddenly raises issues such as South Korea's financial contribution to U.S. military deployments. After waiting six months during South Korea's leadership vacuum, Washington may seize this summit as the moment to assert its agenda. If mishandled, what should be an opportunity could devolve into a diplomatic crisis. In such circumstances, the role of the foreign minister is indispensable. Beyond preparing agendas and policy positions, it is the minister's task to smooth introductions between leaders meeting for the first time and to conduct the behind-the-scenes diplomacy that often determines the success of high-level meetings. Lee lacks experience on the global stage, and a disorganized diplomatic team would only amplify the risk of missteps. Fortunately, Cho already has met with his G7 counterparts several times while preparing for the upcoming Asia-Pacific Foreign Ministers' Conference in Gyeongju this fall. These prior engagements put him in a favorable position to support the president effectively. Though the left-right pairing may be accidental, it could turn out to be a strategic advantage -- both for national interests and for the president himself. Let us return, then, to The Accidental Adult. That show depicted individuals who matured into responsible adults through trial and reflection, often having entered adulthood without prior preparation. In the same spirit, the G7 Summit could become a proving ground for national integration. This rare political cohabitation -- between a progressive president and a conservative minister -- could offer a tangible demonstration of overcoming ideological division. Lee was elected on a promise to unify a society deeply divided along ideological lines. Though he has spoken frequently of integration, he has yet to present a concrete roadmap. As a result, some in the conservative camp have dismissed his rhetoric as mere lip service or mocked it as an attempt at "three-branch unification" of the executive, legislative and judicial branches. However, if the president and his conservative foreign minister can demonstrate meaningful cooperation at the G7, those criticisms could be swiftly silenced. The prospect of genuine political reconciliation -- and with it, national progress -- would become significantly more plausible. There is precedent for this approach. President Abraham Lincoln famously appointed political rivals to his Cabinet, including William Seward as Secretary of State and Edwin Stanton as Secretary of War -- choices that helped him lead the Union to victory in the Civil War. Likewise, France has a long tradition of "cohabitation," in which presidents from one political camp work with prime ministers from another to maintain national stability. If Cho performs well at the G7, there is little reason to exclude him -- or other capable members of the previous administration -- from future government roles. If someone is highly experienced and capable, appointing them regardless of political affiliation would serve the national interest. Even if not as foreign minister, they could still be included somewhere within the foreign policy team, helping to pass on the diplomatic experience of the previous administration to the new one -- as a model of inclusion and cooperative governance. If this left-right cohabitation came about out of necessity, if it yields benefits, there's no reason to reject it outright. This moment also intersects with Lee's announcement of a new "Public Recommendation System," which invites citizens to recommend candidates for key public posts, including ministers and heads of public institutions. Promoted as the "first step in exercising popular sovereignty," the initiative's credibility will hinge on whether it includes outstanding individuals from across the political spectrum --not just the ruling party's loyalists. The unexpected cohabitation at the G7 could serve as an early test of this inclusive, collaborative vision. Korea's winner-takes-all political culture must be replaced with a new ethos of sharing power and responsibility. And perhaps this accidental alliance between a progressive president and a conservative minister could plant the seeds of a more inclusive, cooperative democracy. Nohsok Choi is the former chief editor of the Kyunghyang Shinmun and former Paris correspondent. He currently serves as president of the Kyunghyang Shinmun Alumni Association, president of the Korean Media & Culture Forum and CEO of YouTube channel One World TV.
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Business Standard
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Business Standard
Indian all-party teams brief world on India's firm new anti-terror stance
All-party parliamentary delegations Monday briefed leaders of South Korea, Kuwait, Qatar, DR Congo and Slovenia on India's renewed doctrine of responding firmly to any act of terrorism and sought their support in bringing to justice the perpetrators, financiers and supporters of terrorism. A nine-member delegation, led by JD(U) MP Sanjay Kumar Jha, met South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul, 1st Vice Foreign Minister Kim Hong Kyun and Sung Il-jong, Chairperson of the National Defence Committee of the National Assembly, in Seoul and conveyed India's national resolve on zero-tolerance policy in combatting terrorism. The delegation "sought RoK's support in holding organisers, perpetrators, financiers and supporters of terrorism to account and bringing them to justice," the Embassy of India in Seoul said in a post on X. In Kuwait City, the delegation, led by BJP MP Baijayant Jay Panda, called on Deputy Prime Minister & Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Sherida A S Al-Maousharji and apprised him of India's recent actions to combat cross-border terrorism. "Both sides reaffirmed their #ZeroTolerance approach to terrorism," the Embassy of India in Kuwait said in a post on X. The delegation, which arrived in Kuwait City from Bahrain, also offered floral tributes at the statue of Mahatma Gandhi at the Embassy and visited the Grand Mosque of Kuwait, the largest mosque in the Gulf country built over four decades ago. In Qatar, the Indian delegation, led by NCP-SP leader Supriya Sule, met Minister of State for Interior Affairs Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Faisal bin Mohammed Al Thani and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Mohamed bin Abdulaziz bin Saleh Al Khulaifi. "Al Khulaifi conveyed Qatar's solidarity with India and policy of zero tolerance against terrorism for regional stability and prosperity," the Indian Embassy in Doha said in a post. MoS for Interior Affairs Sheikh Abdulaziz appreciated the visit of the delegation and reiterated Qatar's firm stance against terrorism, it added. Qatar is considered to wield influence in the West Asian region and has a role as a mediator in regional conflicts. In Slovenia, the Indian delegation led by DMK MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi on Monday called on senior officials in Ljubljana and emphasised India's "new normal" of zero tolerance against cross-border terrorism. The delegation met Vojko Volk, State Secretary and National Coordinator for National and International Security in the Prime Minister's Office; Predrag Bakovic, Chairperson of the Foreign Policy Committee of the National Assembly; and Miroslav Gregoric of the India-Slovenia Parliamentary Friendship Group. The Slovenian side reaffirmed its condemnation of terrorism as "pure evil that cannot be justified in any form," the Indian embassy in Ljubljana said in a post on X. In Georgetown, Guyana's Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo and Prime Minister Mark Phillips reiterated their country's unwavering support to Indias fight against terrorism, as an all-party parliamentary delegation led by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor met them on Sunday to brief them on Indias position on the issue. Prime Minister Phillips hosted the Indian all-party parliamentary delegation in Berbice on the eve of Guyana's 59th Independence Day. In the Democratic Republic of Congo, an all-party delegation led by Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde held a "fruitful meeting" with Minister of State of Foreign Affairs Thrse Kayikwamba Wagner on Monday, the India mission in Kinshasa said. The delegation conveyed India's zero tolerance for terrorism and thanked her for the support and solidarity in the fight against terrorism it added. In France, BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad said India wants peace and amity but not at the cost of innocent Indians, and the world must speak in one voice as far as barbaric state-sponsored terrorism is concerned, as an all-party delegation led by him began its six-country Europe tour. And if in the most barbaric manner, Pahalgam happens, there will be a cost to it, and the whole world needs to speak in one voice as far as terrorism is concerned. It's a global menace, a global cancer, he said. The delegation will be engaging with members of the Senate and National Assembly, think tanks and a cross-section of the Indian diaspora during the opening leg of their visit to France. In Seoul, Chairperson Sung "emphasised that any act of terrorism is a crime against humanity and can not be condoned," the Indian mission in Seoul said. Foreign Minister Cho, who dropped briefly during the delegation's meeting with 1st Vice Foreign Minister, reaffirmed South Korea's "strong stance against terrorism and extended support to India's fight against this menace," it added. The delegation also interacted with senior representatives of leading think tanks, corporate policy groups, leading media houses and India Studies Centres in South Korea. The delegation also highlighted India's 'No First Use Policy' and rejection of any nuclear blackmail. The delegation also met Chairperson of the Korea-India Parliamentary Friendship Group of the National Assembly Yun Ho-jung, who "conveyed that any act of terrorism is unacceptable and cannot be justified, and that there should be no sacrifice of innocent lives by terrorism and reaffirmed RoK's strong stand against terrorism," the Indian mission in Seoul said in a post on X. TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee, who is part of the delegation led by Jha, warned that the world needs to be very careful and mindful of how Pakistan has been harbouring terrorism. "Breeding a snake in your backyard and expecting it to bite only your neighbour is the last thing one should think of," he said. As part of India's diplomatic outreach, seven multi-party delegations are travelling to 33 global capitals to reach out to the international community on Pakistan's designs and India's response to terror, especially in view of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people. India carried out precision strikes on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in the early hours of May 7 under Operation Sindoor, following which Pakistan attempted to attack the Indian military bases on May 8, 9 and 10. The Indian side responded strongly to the Pakistani actions.
Time of India
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
All-party delegations brief world leaders on India's renewed doctrine of responding firmly to any act of terrorism
Live Events (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel Seoul/Kuwait City/Paris: All-party parliamentary delegations Monday briefed leaders of South Korea, Kuwait, Qatar, DR Congo and Slovenia on India's renewed doctrine of responding firmly to any act of terrorism and sought their support in bringing to justice the perpetrators, financiers and supporters of terrorism. A nine-member delegation, led by JD(U) MP Sanjay Kumar Jha, met South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul, 1st Vice Foreign Minister Kim Hong Kyun and Sung Il-jong, Chairperson of the National Defence Committee of the National Assembly, in Seoul and conveyed India's national resolve on zero-tolerance policy in combatting delegation "sought RoK's support in holding organisers, perpetrators, financiers and supporters of terrorism to account and bringing them to justice," the Embassy of India in Seoul said in a post on Kuwait City, the delegation, led by BJP MP Baijayant Jay Panda, called on Deputy Prime Minister & Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Sherida A S Al-Maousharji and apprised him of India's recent actions to combat cross-border terrorism."Both sides reaffirmed their #ZeroTolerance approach to terrorism," the Embassy of India in Kuwait said in a post on delegation, which arrived in Kuwait City from Bahrain, also offered floral tributes at the statue of Mahatma Gandhi at the Embassy and visited the Grand Mosque of Kuwait, the largest mosque in the Gulf country built over four decades Qatar, the Indian delegation, led by NCP-SP leader Supriya Sule, met Minister of State for Interior Affairs Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Faisal bin Mohammed Al Thani and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Mohamed bin Abdulaziz bin Saleh Al Khulaifi."Al Khulaifi conveyed Qatar's solidarity with India and policy of zero tolerance against terrorism for regional stability and prosperity," the Indian Embassy in Doha said in a for Interior Affairs Sheikh Abdulaziz appreciated the visit of the delegation and reiterated Qatar's firm stance against terrorism, it is considered to wield influence in the West Asian region and has a role as a mediator in regional Slovenia, the Indian delegation led by DMK MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi on Monday called on senior officials in Ljubljana and emphasised India's "new normal" of zero tolerance against cross-border delegation met Vojko Volk, State Secretary and National Coordinator for National and International Security in the Prime Minister's Office; Predrag Bakovic, Chairperson of the Foreign Policy Committee of the National Assembly; and Miroslav Gregoric of the India-Slovenia Parliamentary Friendship Slovenian side reaffirmed its condemnation of terrorism as "pure evil that cannot be justified in any form," the Indian embassy in Ljubljana said in a post on Georgetown, Guyana's Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo and Prime Minister Mark Phillips reiterated their country's unwavering support to India's fight against terrorism, as an all-party parliamentary delegation led by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor met them on Sunday to brief them on India's position on the Minister Phillips hosted the Indian all-party parliamentary delegation in Berbice on the eve of Guyana's 59th Independence the Democratic Republic of Congo, an all-party delegation led by Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde held a "fruitful meeting" with Minister of State of Foreign Affairs Therese Kayikwamba Wagner on Monday, the India mission in Kinshasa delegation conveyed India's zero tolerance for terrorism and thanked her for the support and solidarity in the fight against terrorism it France, BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad said India wants peace and amity but not at the cost of innocent Indians, and the world must speak in one voice as far as barbaric state-sponsored terrorism is concerned, as an all-party delegation led by him began its six-country Europe tour."And if in the most barbaric manner, Pahalgam happens, there will be a cost to it, and the whole world needs to speak in one voice as far as terrorism is concerned. It's a global menace, a global cancer," he delegation will be engaging with members of the Senate and National Assembly, think tanks and a cross-section of the Indian diaspora during the opening leg of their visit to Seoul, Chairperson Sung "emphasised that any act of terrorism is a crime against humanity and can not be condoned," the Indian mission in Seoul Minister Cho, who dropped briefly during the delegation's meeting with 1st Vice Foreign Minister, reaffirmed South Korea's "strong stance against terrorism and extended support to India's fight against this menace," it delegation also interacted with senior representatives of leading think tanks, corporate policy groups, leading media houses and India Studies Centres in South Korea. The delegation also highlighted India's 'No First Use Policy' and rejection of any nuclear delegation also met Chairperson of the Korea-India Parliamentary Friendship Group of the National Assembly Yun Ho-jung, who "conveyed that any act of terrorism is unacceptable and cannot be justified, and that there should be no sacrifice of innocent lives by terrorism and reaffirmed RoK's strong stand against terrorism," the Indian mission in Seoul said in a post on MP Abhishek Banerjee, who is part of the delegation led by Jha, warned that the world needs to be very careful and mindful of how Pakistan has been harbouring terrorism. "Breeding a snake in your backyard and expecting it to bite only your neighbour is the last thing one should think of," he part of India's diplomatic outreach, seven multi-party delegations are travelling to 33 global capitals to reach out to the international community on Pakistan's designs and India's response to terror, especially in view of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 carried out precision strikes on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in the early hours of May 7 under Operation Sindoor, following which Pakistan attempted to attack the Indian military bases on May 8, 9 and 10. The Indian side responded strongly to the Pakistani actions.
The Print
26-05-2025
- Politics
- The Print
All-party delegations brief world leaders on India's renewed doctrine of responding firmly to any act of terrorism
The delegation 'sought RoK's support in holding organisers, perpetrators, financiers and supporters of terrorism to account and bringing them to justice,' the Embassy of India in Seoul said in a post on X. A nine-member delegation, led by JD(U) MP Sanjay Kumar Jha, met South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul, 1st Vice Foreign Minister Kim Hong Kyun and Sung Il-jong, Chairperson of the National Defence Committee of the National Assembly, in Seoul and conveyed India's national resolve on zero-tolerance policy in combatting terrorism. Seoul/Kuwait City/Paris, May 26 (PTI) All-party parliamentary delegations Monday briefed leaders of South Korea, Kuwait, Qatar, DR Congo and Slovenia on India's renewed doctrine of responding firmly to any act of terrorism and sought their support in bringing to justice the perpetrators, financiers and supporters of terrorism. In Kuwait City, the delegation, led by BJP MP Baijayant Jay Panda, called on Deputy Prime Minister & Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Sherida A S Al-Maousharji and apprised him of India's recent actions to combat cross-border terrorism. 'Both sides reaffirmed their #ZeroTolerance approach to terrorism,' the Embassy of India in Kuwait said in a post on X. The delegation, which arrived in Kuwait City from Bahrain, also offered floral tributes at the statue of Mahatma Gandhi at the Embassy and visited the Grand Mosque of Kuwait, the largest mosque in the Gulf country built over four decades ago. In Qatar, the Indian delegation, led by NCP-SP leader Supriya Sule, met Minister of State for Interior Affairs Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Faisal bin Mohammed Al Thani and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Mohamed bin Abdulaziz bin Saleh Al Khulaifi. 'Al Khulaifi conveyed Qatar's solidarity with India and policy of zero tolerance against terrorism for regional stability and prosperity,' the Indian Embassy in Doha said in a post. MoS for Interior Affairs Sheikh Abdulaziz appreciated the visit of the delegation and reiterated Qatar's firm stance against terrorism, it added. Qatar is considered to wield influence in the West Asian region and has a role as a mediator in regional conflicts. In Slovenia, the Indian delegation led by DMK MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi on Monday called on senior officials in Ljubljana and emphasised India's 'new normal' of zero tolerance against cross-border terrorism. The delegation met Vojko Volk, State Secretary and National Coordinator for National and International Security in the Prime Minister's Office; Predrag Bakovic, Chairperson of the Foreign Policy Committee of the National Assembly; and Miroslav Gregoric of the India-Slovenia Parliamentary Friendship Group. The Slovenian side reaffirmed its condemnation of terrorism as 'pure evil that cannot be justified in any form,' the Indian embassy in Ljubljana said in a post on X. In Georgetown, Guyana's Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo and Prime Minister Mark Phillips reiterated their country's unwavering support to India's fight against terrorism, as an all-party parliamentary delegation led by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor met them on Sunday to brief them on India's position on the issue. Prime Minister Phillips hosted the Indian all-party parliamentary delegation in Berbice on the eve of Guyana's 59th Independence Day. In the Democratic Republic of Congo, an all-party delegation led by Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde held a 'fruitful meeting' with Minister of State of Foreign Affairs Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner on Monday, the India mission in Kinshasa said. The delegation conveyed India's zero tolerance for terrorism and thanked her for the support and solidarity in the fight against terrorism it added. In France, BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad said India wants peace and amity but not at the cost of innocent Indians, and the world must speak in one voice as far as barbaric state-sponsored terrorism is concerned, as an all-party delegation led by him began its six-country Europe tour. 'And if in the most barbaric manner, Pahalgam happens, there will be a cost to it, and the whole world needs to speak in one voice as far as terrorism is concerned. It's a global menace, a global cancer,' he said. The delegation will be engaging with members of the Senate and National Assembly, think tanks and a cross-section of the Indian diaspora during the opening leg of their visit to France. In Seoul, Chairperson Sung 'emphasised that any act of terrorism is a crime against humanity and can not be condoned,' the Indian mission in Seoul said. Foreign Minister Cho, who dropped briefly during the delegation's meeting with 1st Vice Foreign Minister, reaffirmed South Korea's 'strong stance against terrorism and extended support to India's fight against this menace,' it added. The delegation also interacted with senior representatives of leading think tanks, corporate policy groups, leading media houses and India Studies Centres in South Korea. The delegation also highlighted India's 'No First Use Policy' and rejection of any nuclear blackmail. The delegation also met Chairperson of the Korea-India Parliamentary Friendship Group of the National Assembly Yun Ho-jung, who 'conveyed that any act of terrorism is unacceptable and cannot be justified, and that there should be no sacrifice of innocent lives by terrorism and reaffirmed RoK's strong stand against terrorism,' the Indian mission in Seoul said in a post on X. TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee, who is part of the delegation led by Jha, warned that the world needs to be very careful and mindful of how Pakistan has been harbouring terrorism. 'Breeding a snake in your backyard and expecting it to bite only your neighbour is the last thing one should think of,' he said. As part of India's diplomatic outreach, seven multi-party delegations are travelling to 33 global capitals to reach out to the international community on Pakistan's designs and India's response to terror, especially in view of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people. India carried out precision strikes on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in the early hours of May 7 under Operation Sindoor, following which Pakistan attempted to attack the Indian military bases on May 8, 9 and 10. The Indian side responded strongly to the Pakistani actions. PTI AK/GRS/PY/NSA/ZH ZH ZH This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
Korea Herald
28-04-2025
- Korea Herald
FM Cho extends condolences over deadly vehicle attack at Vancouver festival
South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul on Monday expressed deep condolences over a deadly vehicle attack during a cultural festival in Vancouver over the weekend that left multiple casualties. "My deepest condolences to those affected by the tragic incident at the Lapu-Lapu festival. We stand in solidarity with the people of Canada and the Filipino Community in Vancouver," Cho said in a message posted on X, formerly known as Twitter. The attack occurred on Saturday (local time) during the Lapu-Lapu Day Block Party, a traditional Filipino festival honoring Philippine national hero Datu Lapulapu, who defeated Spanish forces in 1521. Thousands of local residents, many of Filipino descent, were attending the event. A black sport utility vehicle reportedly drove into the crowd, killing 11 people and injuring dozens more. No South Korean nationals were among the victims, according to authorities. The driver was arrested at the scene. Local police have ruled out terrorism as a motive and are investigating the case based on reports that the suspect had a history of psychiatric treatment. (Yonhap)
