Welcoming a New Generation of Korean Diplomats!

[성김 대사]

Over the years, I have developed a great respect for the quality and caliber of Korean diplomats.  So when the new Korean National Diplomatic Academy (KNDA) asked me to meet with their new cadre, I welcomed the opportunity to see the future of Korean diplomacy.  I thought the best way to get to know these talented future colleagues would be a coffee hour at my residence.

Welcome to Habib House, future Korean diplomats!

The KNDA, under the leadership of Chancellor Kim Byung-Kook, has dramatically revamped the recruiting system for Korean diplomats.  Starting in April, KNDA will select 45 potential diplomats to enroll in a yearlong program modeled after some of the world’s finest academic institutions.  At the end of the year, KNDA will select 40 to become entry-level diplomats with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MOFAT). 

I have to say I was extremely impressed with the group that I met.  These young men and women were much more poised and sophisticated than I was when I joined the Foreign Service.  The participants were bright, engaging and, like all Korean diplomats, had great language skills.  They also asked some very forward-looking questions.  For example, one young diplomat asked me how I thought the role of Korean diplomats should change as Korea becomes more global.   

Enjoying a conversation with some members of the group

Meeting with them reminded me of my first days in the Foreign Service.  I was thrilled to have the opportunity to join the State Department.  I had always wanted to work in the public sector and this was a wonderful opportunity to serve my country, work on important relations, represent my country overseas, and learn about new cultures.  Looking back, I had no idea that 25 years later I would have the chance to be Ambassador.  My first post was the U.S. Consulate in Hong Kong.  I can still remember how excited I felt as I prepared for my first overseas assignment. 

In addition to the new Korean diplomats, I also invited some of our young American officers to join the coffee hour and meet their future counterparts.  These officers were excited for this opportunity, and I even heard one of them exclaim, “What a great way to end the week!”  I was thrilled to see our countries continue to deepen their people-to-people ties as the future leaders of the State Department exchanged ideas with the future leaders of MOFAT. 

I wish all of you a bright future!

All in all, I had a wonderful afternoon having coffee with the new diplomats.  I appreciated the chance to meet these young people who will represent Korea and someday possibly work on strengthening the ties between our two great countries just as I have been doing for much of my career.