European envoys excited about Park

President-elect Park Geun-hye, right, speaks with British Ambassador Scott Wightman at her interim office in the Financial Supervisory Service’s training center, Seoul during the envoy’s courtesy visit to her last Monday. / Yonhap

By Kang Hyun-kyung

European ambassadors remain optimistic about bilateral ties with Korea, which they call one of its four strategic partners in Asia, as incoming President Park Geun-hye has a deeper understanding of the region.

The three other strategic partners in Asia are China, Japan and India, a course the EU set a couple of years ago for a stronger presence in the world’s most dynamic Asia-Pacific region.

It remains to be seen whether the chemistry between the two sides will open a new chapter for Korea-EU relations during the Park Geun-hye administration.

European ambassadors haven’t hidden their high expectations for the Park government as she has mentioned a couple of European leaders as good friends or role models.

British Ambassador Scott Wightman, who met Park at her office last Monday, told The Korea Times that he and the new President “enjoyed a friendly, substantive discussion” during the closed-door meeting.

“I was honored to have the opportunity to meet with the President-elect. It is clear that there is a strong will on both sides to strengthen further the deep and historic relationship between our two countries,” said Wightman.

The British ambassador was hopeful of significantly upgrading bilateral ties under the Park administration as this year marks the 130th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and Britain.

“In this landmark year, I look forward to working with President Park and her administration to promote peace, security and stability in the region and beyond. We will also continue to work together for the mutual prosperity of both countries, supporting our businesses and increasing our cooperation in science, education and sustainable green growth,” he said.

The British Embassy in Seoul is excited about the Park administration because of the new President’s favorable remarks about a former head of state.

In a television debate on Aug. 14 last year, Park said Queen Elizabeth I, who ruled Britain from 1558 to 1603, was her role model.

Park said the queen was credited with having played a decisive role in moving Britain, which was nearly a bankrupt, forward to a strong state.

“The queen was thoughtful and considerate, probably as she went through major ordeals in her life. She led the country in a reasonable manner with tolerance,” Park said. The British queen was born a princess but her mother, Anne Boleyn, was executed when she was two years old.

Also known as the “The Virgin Queen,” Elizabeth I never married.

In her autobiography, Park wrote that she feels a strong bond with German Chancellor Angela Merkel. She also said she has good memories of France as she attended the University of Grenoble for a short time.

The EU has revealed a deep interest in expanding ties with South Korea from trade to cooperation in North Korean affairs and other regional issues.

Information war

The diplomatic circle in Seoul was unusually hectic last week as the President-elect had a series of meetings with ambassadors from Europe, the Middle East and Southeast Asian countries. This followed earlier meetings with envoys from the “four power states,” namely the United States, China, Japan and Russia.

Staffers of foreign embassies in Seoul were inquisitive about the meetings between Park and foreign envoys last week, reaching out to reporters covering the transition team to gather information.

Embassy staff, especially those who work for ambassadors yet to met the new President, were curious to know every detail of the meetings, such as how long each ambassador met with Park, what they discussed and the format of the meeting.

They sought items to consider when they arrange their ambassador’s meeting with the new President.

Staffers of ambassadors having met Park had a different agenda. They wondered on the chances for their country to increase trade and better ties with South Korea under the incoming government.

Due to the strategic significance of the nation in Asia Pacific, envoys tried to make the most of the transition period to benefit their relations with Korea to help their countries have a strong presence on the peninsula.