Basics for Diplomacy
By Kim Heung-sook
As I write three different columns on a regular basis, I sometimes talk about international issues and foreigners living in Korea that seem to draw the keenest attention of diplomats stationed here. As a result, I get varied reactions, from argument and corrections to thanks and invitations.
You may think that complaints and arguments are hard to take, but I don't dislike them as long as they are presented in the proper manner. Why? Differences in opinion often add to knowledge and bring forth enlightenment, while approval and praise usually stop at confirming my views.
On Jan. 19, I received email from Eran Yuvan, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Israeli Embassy in Seoul. Though I haven't consulted the diplomat on quoting parts of the message here, I don't think he would object to my sharing them with my readers.
``In your column in the 'Korea Times' (Jan. 17th 2009) titled 'Minerva and Gaza', you wrote: 'At the end of last year, the Korean Center for Arab and Islamic Culture in Incheon was closed by the city administration one year after opening, triggering regrets, anger and worries. In contrast, the Israel Culture Center in Seoul has been in service since May 2000 and has seen the launch of the Korean Institute of Israel Studies last December.'
``I would like to inform you that the Israel Culture Center in Seoul is not affiliated with the Government of Israel (or with the Embassy of Israel for that matter)… The Center does not receive any funds from the Korean Government. Therefore, it can not be compared with the Islamic Center that was closed in Incheon …''
Shortly after I received this email of blue letters, I forwarded it to The Korea Times, asking it be published in the paper. Regrettably, I didn't see it appear in print, but I appreciate what the Israeli diplomat did to make his points.
Even if diplomacy is, as the dictionary defines, ``the skill of being careful to say or do things which will not offend people,'' not all diplomats seem to be good at the skill, and I have encountered some of the less-capable recently through an email invitation from an embassy. It spelled my name incorrectly in English and Korean, for instance. Okay, my name is not easy to write and I offered a correction without a grimace, but the mistake was repeated.
The invitation didn't include or accompany an explanation as to what the function was about and what sorts of people and how many were coming. I waited for some detailed information and I surely received another message, which turned out to be almost identical to the first one except for the language used. Within hours after I sent ``Regrets,'' I got a reply in which I was thanked but with the wrong name again. I momentarily wondered if they were joking.
I had always highly thought of the nation the embassy represents and it still stands highly in my favor, but I have to admit that I am a bit puzzled. I can tell that the diplomats were too busy to mind the details with the planned event. However, diplomacy is building a house with bricks of details, isn't it?
The best diplomatic achievement, I think, can be earned when diplomats on overseas posts succeed in nurturing and combining partnership and friendship with the host country's people. From my own experience, I can say that diplomats from the Republic of China are doing it quite well. Some may argue that Taiwan is not recognized as a sovereign nation in world politics. So what? Diplomats are officers and soldiers who engage in wars without armor for their country under any and all circumstances, aren't they?
Whether by instinct or discipline, outstanding diplomats seem to know how to make friends with their hosts. For instance, they know how to invite people new contacts to embassy and ambassadorial functions; they would call the potential guest on the phone. If they can't get the number, they send the invitation via email but with proper greetings and the necessary information.
They would try harder to have the reluctant guests come, because they are aware that more often than not, the most desirable guests are among them. Last, but not least, they would call or write the person's name correctly. They may err once, but never again.