By Yoon Won-sup
Staff Reporter
President Lee Myung-bak said his foreign policy would be based on a strengthened relationship with the United States and energy diplomacy for finding resources.
``We will work to develop and further strengthen traditional friendly relations with the United States into a future-oriented partnership,'' Lee said in an inaugural address Monday. ``Based on the deep mutual trust that exists between the two peoples, we will also strengthen our strategic alliance with the United States.''
Lee made it clear that he will recover what he calls Seoul-Washington relations, damaged under the Roh Moo-hyun administration. Thus, Lee's first overseas trip will probably be to Washington in April.
Following the United States, he placed importance on Asia, saying he will seek peace and mutual prosperity with close neighbors including Japan, China and Russia and further exchange and cooperate with them.
He revived the suspended shuttle diplomacy with Japan by having a summit with Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda right after the inauguration ceremony.
Given that his No. 1 priority is revitalization of the nation's economy, he also pledged to find resources through diplomacy, which would help the economic engine run smoothly.
``We will work to acquire a safe and stable supply of resources and energy,'' he continued. ``Moreover, we shall take the lead in environmentally-friendly international cooperation.''
Lee said Korea will contribute more to the international community with the United Nations' Peace-Keeping Operation (PKO) and Official Development Assistance (ODA), in line with global standards. Accordingly, the government plans to double ODA from the current 0.1 percent of the gross national income to 0.2 percent in 2012.
``Korea will take a more positive stance with a greater vision and carry out global diplomacy, by actively cooperating with the international community as befitting our economic size and diplomatic capacity. Our diplomacy will contribute to promoting and protecting universal values,'' he said
During his five-year term, Lee will also try to promote the image of Korea, particularly its culture, which is not well-known relative to its economic development.
``By emphasizing the importance of cultural diplomacy, we will work to allow Korea to communicate more openly and easily with the international community,'' he said. ``Our traditional culture, when coupled together with our technological prowess, will no doubt transmit to the world an image of a more attractive Korea.''
Lee spent about two minutes on foreign policy in his 30-minute inaugural speech to the nation.