#91 G20 Fever!

[스티븐스 대사]

All of us who live in Korea have seen increasing signs in Seoul and throughout the country that the long-anticipated G20 Seoul Summit is about to happen.  Riding the KTX train, I’ve seen G20 signs carved in the fields. 

Here in Seoul, I was visited last week by a “Talk to the G20 Leaders (TTL)” promotional bus tour.  As a means to promote the G20 Seoul Summit to the Korean public, the Presidential Committee for the G20 Summit launched a campaign for Korean citizens to send questions and messages to the G20 leaders.  Korean citizens made submissions in three ways:  through fixed campaign booths at COEX, a promotional bus that toured around the nation, and a dedicated G20 Web site.  More than 18,000 messages were received through these outlets!  After President Lee, Koreans posed the most questions to President Obama, with a total of over 4,000 questions and messages sent to the American President. 

On November 2, the G20 bus stopped by the U.S. Embassy in Gwanghwamun to deliver the questions and messages to President Obama.  It was a nice opportunity to step outside on a beautiful day and receive the questions from a family with two bright girls.  The bus looked great, it was a wonderful idea and I look forward to delivering the messages and questions to President Obama.

Posing for a virtual picture with President Obama in the G20 bus

Receiving G20 questions and messages for President Obama

The press was there in large numbers

Many of the questions reflected a nuanced understanding that if the world is going to be able to grow at a strong, sustainable pace, we need to achieve more balance in the pattern of global growth.  That is why what the G20 achieved at the Gyeongju Ministerial was so important.  A consensus is emerging that, in the current economic environment, all countries must play their part in contributing to stronger and more sustainable growth.  

Many messages expressed deep passion for the environment.  These were reassuring.  The United States and Korea are coordinating closely in international climate change discussions and are together exploring ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.  In addition, our two countries are carrying out several collaborative projects in researching, developing and deploying new clean energy innovations, including wind, solar and SmartGrid technologies.

International development assistance was a third prominent theme.  As Hong Yeon-jin said in her video clip, "Many countries are struggling with daunting development challenges.  I hope the G20 countries will come up with effective policies to help them at the upcoming G20 Summit."   I do, too.  Adding development to the G20 agenda was Korea's vision from the beginning, and I'm pleased to see this vision turn into reality.  The G20 will unveil an action plan that promises to unlock the potential of developing nations by igniting their capacity for economic growth.   This is an exciting development and an area where Korea is well-positioned to lead by example. 

The questions and messages were presented as a CD in a nicely-designed case

As Korea prepares for the G20 Seoul Summit on November 11-12, we at the U.S. Embassy are getting ready to welcome U.S. President Barack Obama to Seoul.  This will be President Obama’s second visit to Korea; he was here almost exactly a year ago for a short but memorable trip he has referred to often.  This time, President Obama will arrive in Seoul after visiting India and Indonesia, and will be here for both days of the G20 Summit before going to Japan for the APEC Summit.

Preparing for a Presidential visit is always an exciting and busy time for the Embassy.  This time is no exception.  November 11^th is Veterans Day in the United States, and “Remembrance Day” in a number of countries around the world, originally marking the end of World War One, and now a day when we honor all those who have served in our armed forces.  President Obama will mark Veterans Day by meeting with soldiers at Yongsan Garrison in Seoul, and by paying special tribute to those who joined together sixty years ago to defend the Republic of Korea when it was attacked.

After commemorating Veterans’ Day, Korean President Lee Myung-bak has invited President Obama to the Blue House for a bilateral meeting and lunch.  We know this is one of many bilateral leaders’ meetings President Lee is hosting, and we appreciate his gracious hospitality.  As always, the two leaders have a full agenda, from previewing the G20 to mapping out the way forward in our overall bilateral relationship.  From North Korea to the Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement, they will have a lot to talk about.  I’ll try to be sure they know some of the excellent questions President Obama received on how we can work together to address environmental, energy, sustainable economic growth, and development challenges.  That evening, the G20 begins with a reception and working dinner at Korea’s National Museum.  Last year I served as an honorary goodwill ambassador for the 100^th anniversary of the National Museum, so I am especially pleased that President Obama will have a chance to enjoy this spectacular venue.  And I am sure President Obama and the other G20 leaders will also be impressed by the facilities at COEX when the G20 official meetings are held on November 12.

The G20 Summit is an important occasion for Korea, and for the world.  I congratulate the Korean government and people for their excellent preparations for the summit.  This is an important opportunity for the world’s leaders to chart the way forward toward beyond the economic crisis, toward continued and balanced growth and development.