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| Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha |
It has not been long since the foreign ministry started engaging in the controversy.
For years the ministry has faced criticism over its apparent lack of involvement in major diplomatic affairs, such as inter-Korean dialogue.
But with the history dispute between Seoul and Tokyo escalating into a full-blown trade war, it has recently started taking a somewhat different approach, releasing multiple public statements to counter Japan's arguments.
The government decided to not to renew a bilateral military intelligence-sharing pact with Japan, in a retaliatory move against Japan's escalating trade restrictions. The decision to scrap the General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA) has drawn protests not only from Japan, but also the United States, as some Washington pundits have viewed the step as an act that may challenge the trilateral security alliance among Seoul, Tokyo and Washington.
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo openly expressed his disappointment over South Korea's decision not to renew the GSOMIA and in response the foreign ministry lodged an official complaint with U.S. Ambassador to South Korea Harry Harris last week, calling him in to the ministry headquarters.
Second Vice Foreign Minister Lee Tae-ho also reiterated Seoul's position over the political row with Tokyo, recently.
"Extending the GSOMIA does not serve our national interest under the circumstances when Japan has excluded South Korea from its whitelist of countries given preferential trading benefits, citing security reasons," Lee said in a cultural exchange event between South Korea and Japan.
But the foreign ministry also needs to team up with Cheong Wa Dae to avoid any potential political conflict surrounding the two authorities' power game.
As of now, Kim Hyun-chong, deputy chief of the presidential National Security Office, is playing a key role in handling South Korea's major diplomatic affairs. Chances are conflicts may arise between the foreign ministry and the presidential office if there is no close communication.
Against this backdrop, it would be advisable for Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha to closely support Cheong Wa Dae.
