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| Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha answers to legislators during an audit held by National Assembly's Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee on Oct. 2. / Yonhap |
By Yi Whan-woo
In her third year in office, it is no longer rare to see Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha countering opposition lawmakers who accuse her of failing to handle controversial diplomatic issues.
A former presidential interpreter-turned minister, Kang and her ministry have been criticized for keeping a low profile and being "pushed around" by Cheong Wa Dae when it comes to top diplomatic issues.
Her leadership has been increasingly called into question at this year's National Assembly audit sessions, as it comes amid mushrooming concerns over Seoul's relations with Washington and Tokyo, as well as the stalled dialogue with Pyongyang.
Kang's leadership faces extra challenges domestically, with Cheong Wa Dae reportedly opening an internal investigation into a string of protocol gaffes and other diplomatic faux pas.
Taking office in August, Kim Hyon-chong ― a security adviser to President Moon Jae-in ― also overstepped Kang's authority by giving orders and reprimanding her staff.
Against this backdrop, Kang has firmly rebuffed criticism of her leadership.
"I can't agree with the criticism that the foreign ministry is missing concerning diplomatic efforts. In fact, I think the ministry is capable of carrying out its role faithfully," Kang said during the audit held by the Assembly Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee on Oct. 2.
The minister countered the argument that she is "nowhere to be seen" and that the ministry lacks a broad map to tackle "a perfect diplomatic storm."
The concerns over a widening rift with the United States were prompted by Korea's decision in August to not renew the GSOMIA ― an intelligence-sharing pact with Japan ― amid an intensifying Seoul-Tokyo row.
The decision was finalized at a National Security Council (NSC) meeting. It was believed to be heavily influenced by three top Cheong Wa Dae security officials ― Noh Young-min, Kim You-geun and Kim Hyon-chong.
Kang denied the rumor that the foreign ministry was excluded from the decision-making process for the GSOMIA exit.
"I can't give details for security reasons but I've been talking to the first vice foreign minister frequently and was fully aware of developments at the NSC meeting," Kang said.
She referred to her not being able to attend the meeting and having First Vice Foreign Minister Choi Se-young participate on her behalf.
When asked about Cheong Wa Dae excessively intervening in the foreign ministry's role, Kang said, "The ministry is doing what it has to do although it may be deemed invisible."
Kang's ministry has been repeatedly embroiled in embarrassing diplomatic blunders, which have often involved the President.
Among the latest was Moon standing by in a car for an extended period of time after a planned Korea-Russia summit on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Japan this year was delayed because of Vladimir Putin's chronic tardiness. Also, Moon mistakenly gave greetings in Bahasa, an Indonesian language, during a summit with Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad in March.
"Cheong Wa Dae is looking into the reasons behind such sloppy diplomatic affairs and is expected to take preventive measures," a source familiar with the presidential office said.
Kim Hyun-chong, second deputy chief of the presidential National Security Office (NSO), took his own measures when because of a protocol gaffe, he could not join a Korea-Poland summit on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly last month.
Kim previously expressed an apology on twitter regarding his argument with Kang for giving orders to her staff.
During an audit at the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Korea to the U.N. in New York, Oct. 3, it was then revealed that Kim reprimanded a diplomat responsible for the gaffe.
Meanwhile, Kang argued the roles of presidential aides have become increasingly important because of Moon's peace initiative announced in Berlin in July 2017.
"In this regard, the foreign ministry has been focusing on promoting the peace initiative to the international community and drawing out global support accordingly," Kang said.
She also said summit diplomacy led by the head of state "has been notably active" on the international stage.
