Diplomats skip time off to stay

By Kang Hyun-kyung

Foreign diplomats usually take vacations in December and January but, this year, some are under instructions to stay here and watch for any new developments.

Those who are staying say that their governments are obviously concerned by many things that have taken place in Korea this year and want them in the country in case of sudden developments.

One ambassador from a European country told The Korea Times during a recent function, that this was because of the latest political issues and their possible repercussions.

He and other envoys are particularly interested in what possible impact the Constitutional Court’s ruling to dissolve the minor leftist Unified Progressive Party will have on President Park Geun-hye’s leadership.

They are also curious as to whether the hacking of the Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Corporation will have any negative implications for the nation’s nuclear energy policy.

He said that he was supposed to have a long winter vacation of several weeks but had to cut his holiday short and return to Seoul to work on reports on domestic politics and their possible implications for his country.

An Asian diplomat said that she was having a hard time keeping herself abreast of the rapid-sequence of political and social issues.

Another diplomat said that things have been hectic during the holiday season.

He said there were many government official visits in Korea the week before Christmas and that his country may host a visit from President Park.

“So I am waiting for the phone call from the foreign ministry. And this keeps me alert during the holiday season,” he said.

Korea has recently emerged as key post for foreign diplomats due to its fast economic development.

Before, its proximity to North Korea and its geographic position straddled by China, Russia and Japan made it a proving ground for ambitious diplomats on intelligence-gathering missions.