Local diplomacy emerges as key approach to tackle global challenges

Participants of the Korea Local Diplomacy Forum pose during the event at International Convention Center Jeju, Friday. From left are Hong Seok-in, ambassador and deputy minister for public diplomacy; North Gyeongsang Province Governor Lee Cheol-woo; Jeju Governor Oh Young-hun; Interior and Safety Minister Lee Sang-min; Kim Heong-soo, president of the Korean Northeast Asia Association Studies; Jo Jae-gu, chairman of the National Association of Mayors in Korea; and Interior and Safety Deputy Minister Kim Min-jae. Courtesy of Governors Association of Republic of Korea

JEJU ISLAND — In recent years, local authorities in Korea have emerged as significant players in international affairs. The traditional role of the state in diplomacy is decentralizing, with cities, provinces and municipalities adopting innovative forms of international engagement known as "local diplomacy."

While local governments cannot sign international treaties or open embassies in foreign countries, their international engagement has shown considerable promise. As of 2023, Korea's cities and municipalities have forged either sister or partner relations with over 1,400 cities in 91 countries.

Unlike the central government, which should carefully navigate national security risks associated with foreign policies, local governments can adopt a more flexible approach, complementing state diplomacy.

This strategy not only supports national diplomacy but also strengthens global ties through grassroots connections, making local diplomacy a vital tool for Korea in the diplomatic landscape.

Against this backdrop, during the Korea Local Diplomacy Forum held in Jeju Island on Friday, pundits and policymakers explored diverse measures to institutionalize local diplomacy in the country's legal and governance systems.

The forum, the second of its kind, was jointly organized by the Hankook Ilbo, its sister paper The Korea Times, the Korean Association of Northeast Asia Studies, and the Governors Association of the Republic of Korea (GAROK). GAROK is an association of mayors and governors from Korea’s 17 large cities and provinces. The forum was held on the sidelines of the annual Jeju Peace Forum which took place from Wednesday to Friday.

Under the theme "The Local Era: 'Local Diplomacy' Strategies for Local Value Enhancement," the forum featured about 200 participants, including Interior and Safety Minister Lee Sang-min, Jeju Governor Oh Young-hoon, Kim Heong-soo, president of the Korean Northeast Asia Association Studies, North Gyeongsang Governor Lee Cheol-woo, a former GAROK chairman, and Jo Jae-gu, chairman of the National Association of Mayors in Korea.

"Local diplomacy, where local governments engage in exchanges and cooperation with their global counterparts as well as various organizations, institutions, and businesses, not only complements national diplomacy but also brings new opportunities and growth engines to rural regions," Minister Lee said in his congratulatory remarks.

Interior and Safety Minister Lee Sang-min gives a speech during the Korea Local Diplomacy Forum at International Convention Center Jeju, Friday. Courtesy of Ministry of Interior and Safety

"Going forward, we plan to collaborate with relevant organizations, such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and GAROK, to establish laws and systems that support local diplomacy," he added.

"Local diplomacy is expanding more than ever before. Major advanced countries such as the United States, France, the United Kingdom and Japan are broadening the sectors involved in local diplomacy and exploring ways to institutionalize it," Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul said in his congratulatory remarks. The speech was read by Hong Seok-in, ambassador and deputy minister for public diplomacy, on behalf of Cho.

The foreign ministry is also set to establish a "Youth and Local Diplomacy Team" in June, specifically aimed at bolstering local government diplomacy. This team will serve as a crucial communication bridge between the ministry headquarters, overseas missions, and local governments.

This initiative stems from an MOU signed in April between the Foreign Ministry and GAROK, facilitating international exchange and cooperation among local governments, an agreement which underscores the importance of central government involvement in local diplomatic efforts.

The North Gyeongsang governor highlighted that local diplomacy could significantly contribute to Korea's immigration policies, addressing the country's demographic crisis.

"Immigration is key to the nation’s future. We must attract foreign students and their families to counteract our shrinking population. These goals can be achieved through constructive relationships between cities and foreign countries," he stated.

Experts believe that cities and municipalities can engage in meaningful dialogues with their counterparts by facilitating public diplomacy, sharing best practices, and fostering collaboration between international private and public entities.

However, challenges remain.

Sister city relationships often become one-off visits by city officials. Additionally, diplomatic efforts of the nation's local governments are currently concentrated in Northeast Asia, particularly China and Japan, with limited engagement in other continents due to distance issues.

Moreover, the absence of laws specifically defining the local government's role and scope in diplomacy has led to constant debates. There is also a lack of diplomatic professionals in municipalities and insufficient information about partner cities.

Ha Tae-youk, chief of the local diplomacy office at GAROK, proposed the launch of a separate institution and consultative bodies with the central government in order to swiftly institutionalize local diplomacy.

"Local governments have already become major players in international exchanges, and that fact should be reflected in government policies. Whether it be through the legislation of a so-called Local Diplomacy Act, there needs to be support measures in place," Ha said during a roundtable session.

Hong Suk-hoon, a professor of international relations at Changwon National University, emphasized the need for an effective governance system.

"For local governments to successfully conduct diplomacy, a partnership with the central government is essential, along with comprehensive institutional reforms at the local level. There needs to be an organized framework to systematically support local governments in their diplomatic endeavors," he said.