On December 19, 2023, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol appointed former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Tae-yul as the country’s new Minister of Foreign Affairs and former National Security Advisor Cho Tae-yong as the new Chief of Intelligence. The both appointments has came after the rising tensions between the South Korea and North Korea. As a matter of fact, Pyongyang launched a spy satellite in November 2023 and conducted an intercontinental ballistic missile test shortly thereafter.[1]
Newly appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Tae-yul stated in his statement that he “felt a heavy responsibility” in a period of major geopolitical changes and that the increasing US-China competition and the Russia-Ukraine War could cause critical changes. Cho Tae-yul said, “I will make greatest effort to strengthen the foundation of national security and prosperity.”[2]
Cho Tae-yong, the new Director of South Korea’s National Intelligence Agency, promised to provide the right information at the right time to help the country make the right decisions.[3] The appointments that Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chief of Intelligence which are made by Yoon, coincide with a period of increasing tension with North Korea.
North Korea spy satellite launch in November and subsequent intercontinental ballistic missile test pose a serious security threat to South Korea. In this context, the appointment of Cho Tae-yul, an experienced diplomat, as Minister of Foreign Affairs may be an indication that South Korea will focus on diplomacy in the region.
On the other hand, Cho Tae-yul’s statements of “heavy responsibility” and “geopolitical change” point to the uncertainties experienced at regional and global levels. Especially in this period when the US-China competition is increasing, what kind of foreign policy South Korea will follow is of great importance. The fact that Cho Tae-yul previously served at the United Nations can be considered an advantage in dealing with these uncertainties with his experience in international relations.
As Cho Tae-yul emphasized, the focus of the appointments is on strengthening national security and prosperity. This can be considered as an effort to determine a strategy on how South Korea is prepared against internal and external threats and how it will shape its policies in this field.
Parliament’s approval is not mandatory for the appointment of ministers in South Korea. However, how these appointments are evaluated in Parliament can influence the government’s policies and shape public support.
As a result, these appointments made by Yoon Suk Yeol can be considered as strategic moves that made considering the security threats, geopolitical uncertainties and national interests facing South Korea.
[1] “South Korea’s Yoon Picks New Foreign Minister, Spy Agency Chief”, Reuters, https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/south-koreas-yoon-picks-new-foreign-minister-spy-agency-chief-2023-12-19/, (Date of Acces: 19.12.2023).
[2] Same place.
[3] Same place.
