Cheong Wa Dae's civil affairs office received a report that a high-ranking officials at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, someone working in the area of relations with the United States, made comments so "inappropriate" that they cannot be overlooked, and that there have occasionally been information leaks related to ministry business. Cheong Wa Dae is therefore in the middle of an inquiry into the matter. The official is said to have behaved inappropriately as a public servant, criticizing both the Participatory Government's policies and President Roh Moo-hyun and also leaking information relating to security issues.

The inquiry appears on the surface to be about the behavior of one foreign ministry official, but some observers are saying that beneath outward appearances lies Cheong Wa Dae's displeasure and distrust of the ministry, particularly regarding its handling of Korean-American issues such as the relocation of the U.S. military installation at Yongsan. This would make things even more serious.

It has long been said that some foreign ministry officials have been overly conscious of what the U.S. would like to see, and have belittled the Participatory Government's policies in the area of diplomacy and security. The government of Roh Moo-hyun is being criticized for being dragged around by the U.S. and not maintaining an independent posture, but these officials still find the government disagreeable, and are said to have called certain Cheong Wa Dae aides "the Taliban." The ministry official who has been questioned reportedly insulted the Participatory Government not just in slips of the tongue while enjoying a private drink, but also in other settings, such as conference rooms.

It is a serious problem if a foreign ministry official representing the country to other nations and at diplomatic negotiations has been openly displaying his animosity towards government policy. Diplomacy is supposed to place the national interest above all things, so if one looks at the national interest from a perspective that leans toward the U.S., diplomacy no longer fulfils its mission. The government must thoroughly investigate this matter and take the opportunity to see to it that high-level public officials behave in a manner becoming of their positions.

Also important will be maintaining an independent posture and approach diplomatic negotiations with the U.S. with dignity, as both sides discuss the relocation of U.S. troops based in Yongsan, additional troops for Iraq, and the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA). If the United States Forces Korea (USFK) are being relocated because of U.S. needs and its global strategy, for example, then the government must demand that the U.S. bear the burden of relocation. It must remember that we will have no room left to stand in if we lean on and are pulled around by the U.S.

The Hankyoryeh, 13 January 2004.

[Translations by Seoul Selection. (PMS)]