hankyoreh

A delegation consisting of President Lee Myung-bak’s diplomatic staff and experts in the private sector will leave for Washington on Wednesday to explain South Korea’s policy direction to the incoming U.S. administration of President-elect Barack Obama and preview their foreign policies.

“The delegation, including former Foreign Minister Han Sung-joo, Secretary for National Strategy Kim Tae-hyo and other key presidential advisers, will leave for the U.S. on Jan. 7 and meet with Korea exerts from U.S. think tanks and officials of the Obama administration,” a government source said. “The meetings will provide a chance for us to explain our North Korea polices and other diplomatic and security policy lines, while taking a peek into what the incoming U.S. administration’s stance on its Korea-related policies will be.”

Lee Chung-min, a professor of Yonsei University, Kim Sung-han, a professor of Korea University, and others who have been advising the president on foreign affairs and security policies will be included in the delegation. Wi Sung-lac, a special policy adviser to current Foreign Minister Yu Myung-hwan, will also be part of the delegation.

A separate government source said, “I understand that the planned visit to the U.S. is intended to provide a channel for a 1.5-track policy meeting (half private and half state) between Seoul and Washington.”

During its stay, the delegation is scheduled to hold meetings with private-sector officials at the Brookings Institution, Center for American Progress and other think tanks that helped Obama craft his diplomatic and security polices during his presidential campaign. The delegation is also hoping to meet with Kurt Campbell, Jeff Bader and Frank Jannuzi, who are expected to take major posts on Obama’s diplomatic team.

Another government official said, “The office of the Korean ambassador to the U.S. is currently fine-tuning the delegation’s detailed schedule, but it remains to be seen who will meet whom as the transition of power is also taking place in the U.S.”

Please direct questions or comments to [englishhani@hani.co.kr]