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By Kwon Mee-yoo
With Korea's presidential election held on Wednesday seeing a high turnout, foreign diplomats based in Seoul were carefully observing the atmosphere of the election and gathering information on how it developed.
Most embassies were keeping tabs on support rates and pledges of the two main presidential candidates ― Lee Jae-myung of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea and Yoon Suk-yeol of the main opposition People Power Party ― to report to the governments of their respective countries. While embassies were tight-lipped on any expected results, they could see the democratic governance of the whole process.
“The ongoing voting exercise in Korea is a manifestation of the vibrant democracy Koreans have fought long and hard for over many years. Whatever the results, it sends a signal that Korea is coming of age as a significant presence in the international arena," Ambassador of the Philippines to Korea Maria Theresa Dizon-De Vega told The Korea Times.
Two frontrunners, Lee and Yoon, have some contrasting approaches in foreign policy.
Lee has indicated that his administration would pursue a pragmatic foreign policy and balanced diplomacy among the rivalry between the U.S. and China. Meanwhile, Yoon aims to strengthen the Korea-U.S. alliance to extend nuclear deterrence on North Korea.
Australian Ambassador to Korea Catherine Raper said she witnessed Korea's vibrant democracy at work these past weeks leading up to the presidential election.
"Regardless of the outcome, Koreans can be proud of their track record of successfully holding elections despite the challenges of COVID-19. In the coming months Australia will also have its own federal election and I expect the campaign back home to be similarly colorful and energized," Raper said via e-mail.
"Australia and the Republic of Korea are like-minded democracies in the Indo-Pacific region. We work together as natural partners to ensure democratic rights and freedoms are promoted and protected at all times."
Lee and Yoon's diplomatic stances on the big powers are stated in their pledges, but other parts of the world are also keen to know how the new government will shape broader diplomatic relations in the neck-and-neck race leading up to Election Day.
Since both Lee and Yoon have little experience in diplomacy, embassies here expect foreign policy advisors to the new president will play a key role in international affairs.
Envoys from Latin America hoped the growing relationships between Korea and the region to continue the upward trend after a new administration takes power.
"Continuity. That is the question about the elections with respect to the relations with my region. Korea is moving in all fronts with Latin America. Many countries have strategic partnerships with Korea and others ― such as mine ― are in the early stages of negotiation," said Ambassador of the Dominican Republic to Korea Federico Alberto Cuello Camilo.
"We all see Korea as a leader, with innovative public policies for the future and as a reliable partner in adapting such policies to our realities. In the process, cooperation, trade, investment and finance follow closely. Will this very effective approach continue no matter who wins?"