Ambassador Dato Haji Harun Ismail and
Members of the diplomatic corps,
Governor Hong Junpyo (홍준표),
Mayor Park Young-il (박영일),
Ladies and gentlemen,

For the famous poet T. S. Eliot, April was the cruelest month. But for me, November seems to be the most grueling month. I came back to Korea just yesterday after twelve consecutive days abroad, covering sixteen official meetings, either with my President or by myself. It was physically taxing and diplomatically challenging - but ultimately, immensely productive and constructive, as you are probably aware from media reports. From my standpoint, it was gratifying to witness Korea’s enhanced standing in the world, underpinned by our vibrant economy and robust diplomacy.

And of course, at moments when the going got tough, the thought of this program with you, dear friends, cheered me up. As friends and diplomatic colleagues, we frequently rub shoulders in Seoul to discuss issues big and small - so it is truly a great pleasure to be here with you today in a new setting. And I am very grateful to Governor Hong and Mayor Park. The warmth of their hospitality has made this event even more delightful.

As you know, since 1991 my Ministry has been trying to provide members of the diplomatic corps with a broader picture of Korea beyond the metropolis - by acquainting them with the provincial regions. This year, my deliberate choice was the southern coast. Why? I must confess, on a private level, visiting this region has long been on my to do list. After all, this area’s serene beauty makes it one of our nation’s hidden gems. But I really wanted to introduce my friends in the diplomatic corps to a place showing Korea’s past, as well as a glimpse of our future.

Our past is remarkable, with a history of using adversity as a springboard for prosperity. What we take for granted today was once considered by many to be preposterous bordering on the ridiculous. But against all odds, we mastered the art of working with steel and then with silicon. We built up the Seoul-Busan expressway and then laid down a high speed railway. Those very steelworks and the web of top notch roads and tracks are now part of this region’s landscape.

But this is also a region that points to the future. Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), which you toured today, is a new bastion of cutting-edge technology nestled in the scenic Hallyeo National Park. Suncheon, which you will visit tomorrow, is a model for development in tune with the environment.

Indeed, the southern coast is where the past and the present, nature and culture, the maritime and the continent meet to form a dynamic harmony and material prosperity with a human face - the very ideals dear to Koreans.

But there is more to this region. This place links Korea to the wider world. In this interdependent world, where nobody is free from events even from the opposite end of the globe, connectivity and integration are key - a point reiterated and re-emphasized at the recent APEC, ASEAN+3, EAS and G-20 summits. So working together with the world must be an indispensable element in Korea’s strategy for the future.

But how? By using our unique international standing and diplomatic capabilities. By linking countries with countries, and regions with regions. By becoming a hub of cooperation, a pivot for international collaboration.

And we have already set out on this path, starting right from this region. In 2011, Busan hosted the High-Level Forum on Aid Effectiveness, and in 2012, Yeosu hosted the Expo. Next month, Busan will welcome the 2nd Korea-ASEAN Commemorative Summit meeting.

But of course, it does not stop here. In Beijing and in Brisbane, during the APEC and G-20 summits, we were able to wrap up FTA negotiations with China and New Zealand. They come on top of our existing FTAs, such as with the US and the EU. These will spur talks to open up trade on a large scale, as in the Korea-China-Japan FTA, the FTAPP and the TPP, and bring intra-regional trade in the forefront of fostering prosperity.

In addition to this, Korea is trying to give the weaker links a boost. In this region of increasing tensions, we have come up with the creative idea of bolstering minilateral cooperation. One of the priorities in this respect is rebuilding cooperation between Korea, China and Japan. For this, during the recent round of visits, President Park expressed hopes for a trilateral Summit meeting, on the basis of the results of a trilateral Foreign Ministers’ meeting. Korea is leading this initiative on the basis of close consultations and understanding of concerned countries.

And we are also working on other forms of minilateral cooperation - with the U.S. and Japan, with the U.S. and China and with North Korea and Russia. Taking a longer view, we have set our eyes on additional forms as well, for example with China and Russia, and with North Korea and China.

These various formats of minilateral cooperation will not only facilitate multilateral cooperation, but also help ease bilateral tensions. I believe that we will be able to see our efforts take concrete shape in the months ahead.

Ladies and gentlemen,

On the way here, I took another look at the map. The geographic location of Korea’s southern coast is remarkable. To the south - the Pacific. To the east - Japan. To the west - China. To the North - the Korean Peninsula, and the Eurasian continent beyond it. This area is the natural link of the Northeast Asian age, the hub of the Pacific century and the springboard of the Eurasian era.

I truly hope this region will prosper as the nexus of the vast Eurasian landmass in the north and the wide Pacific Ocean in the south. And I also hope that this is a vision that all of us here will share. To paraphrase a quote : friendship is not gazing at each other, but looking outward in the same direction. I trust that as friends of Korea, all of you will be companions in our journey - for more peace, more cooperation, and more prosperity - in the Korean Peninsula, in Northeast Asia, in the Asia-Pacific and in Eurasia.

Now, I would like to propose a toast - to the memories of our day in Namhae, and to the coming visit to Suncheon. So, Remember Namhae, Together to Suncheon!

Thank you.