• Woo Won-sik, Chairman of the National Assembly, Specialized in Remarks

It is very meaningful and nice to see Ambassador-designate Kang Kyung-hwa again at the National Assembly today.

The ambassador worked as the international secretary of the National Assembly Speaker’s office and formed ties with the National Assembly, and he experienced the diplomatic scene between President-elect Kim Dae Jung and President Bill Clinton during the IMF financial crisis.

The experience of watching the vivid moments of summit diplomacy from the side at that time must have been an invaluable asset for the ambassador.

Since then, as Korea’s first female foreign minister, he has opened a new way on the Korean Peninsula and global diplomacy, and earlier this year, he met with the National Assembly’s special visit to the emergency martial law and impeachment and gave valuable advice.

Today, when global competition and cooperation intersect, diplomacy soon became the front line to protect national interests and people’s lives.

In particular, the Korea-U.S. relationship is the centerpiece of our diplomacy, and you will take on an important role on the spot. I believe that you will do your best to faithfully convey Korea’s voice and promote mutual understanding and cooperation through communication with the U.S. government, Congress, and all walks of life in Washington.

Relations between the two Koreas are still shaky, and the international situation surrounding the Korean Peninsula is also shaky. But now we are, for sure, passing a period of change. With competition and cooperation intersecting in economy, technology, and security, the peace process on the Korean Peninsula is also facing both opportunities and challenges for a new phase.

At times like this, I hope you will use your wisdom and experience to lay the foundation for peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula.

Meanwhile, the National Assembly also seeks to play its role as a diplomatic partner. In March this year, it established the Korea-U.S. Congressional Federation, an official organization for strengthening the Korea-U.S. alliance, and started to open official exchange channels with the U.S. Congress.

In addition, the Korea-U.S. Congressional Exchange Center has been established in Washington, D.C., and efforts are being made to enhance communication and cooperation between the two parliaments. The National Assembly will continue to strengthen its diplomatic capabilities through these systems and organizations and provide strong support for the ambassador’s diplomatic activities in the United States.

I sincerely hope Ambassador Kang Kyung-hwa will make great achievements on the journey to raise the status of the Republic of Korea in the United States and open the future of the Korea-U.S. alliance.