KOREA FOUNDATION

Please brief us on what you teach and research.

I teach and study such diplomatic topics as international politics, economics, Korea-US ties, inter-Korean relations, and world order. I also carry out government-affiliated public diplomacy projects.

How would you define public diplomacy? Please tell us how Korea is doing in the sector.

Public diplomacy began as former imperial states tried to remove themselves from their old ways and ideas, redesigning and publicizing new national images. Korea has had a later start than other advanced countries in this regard and is now entering a transitional period of trial and error. The government, however, recognizes the importance of public diplomacy and is ready to make investments to seek diverse methods and practices.

Would you give us a successful example of public diplomacy and tell us why you think so?

The United States has set a strong example of public diplomacy. It has successfully implanted its image as the global leader spearheading the liberal international order, and the government offers uninterrupted, all-out support for research in the field. Such an image shows the American value and spirit that has remained intact no matter how generations and governments change. It serves as a major element sustaining the firm position of the United States in the international community and the strong confidence the country holds.

Last year seems to have seen the world move toward anti-globalization. How do you think such a tendency would affect the soft power that emphasized a sort of “friendship” beyond the physical boundaries between nations, and Korea and her public diplomacy policies?

Right-wing extremists are increasing in the United States and Europe and making their voices heard, but such a phenomenon cannot be defined as anti-globalization. Britain has exited the EU but has not closed down free trade and other normal exchange. The United States has come out with tough Americans-first policies but has not suspended all international cooperation. Therefore, I don’t see any big changes coming for public diplomacy, which has been based on commonsense liberal international order so far.

Would you give a tip to ordinary citizens who want to know about and contribute to public diplomacy, but who don’t know how?

Public diplomacy is not a difficult concept. It means that we, as Koreans, do our best to earn trust and give a good impression about Korea wherever we go. Doing it is easy, too. We can do it by enhancing our cultural expertise to a higher level, by showing good manners at home and abroad, and by properly performing our roles in the global community. These things may sound small but they form the basis of promoting the image of Korea and Koreans.

If you have the chance to implement public diplomacy policies, what would you do first?

I would figure out what great value represents Korea, the way free democracy stands for the United States. Then I would delve into research on how to effectively materialize and disseminate that value. It is imperative to do so, as it will be the first step to establish the Korean value that would remain strong regardless of political inclinations and change of government.

Written by Park Shin-won