Diplomacy at its best & worst

Diplomatic protocol officers play a role in getting things going without a hitch, often working behind the scenes and ensuring they don’t steal the show from the main characters.

For an impeccable summit or beautiful state dinner, they are the hidden champions.

They must have a lot to gossip about a quirky president, childish prime minister and petty-minded king but their lips are sealed in a vow of silence. Instead of speaking, there is now a photo exhibition by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MOFAT) that gives words to their sealed lips. The pictures on display appeared to be carefully selected to save important figures, former and incumbent, from embarrassment.

One photo shows the officers in a huddle making security arrangements ahead of VIPs’ visits, while leaders pose together comfortably, as a result of their efforts. Photos on a Rubik’s Cube at left constitute the protocol officer’s collective journals.

“As the world increasingly interconnects, diplomacy between summits became more frequent and important,” said Bae Jae-hyun, deputy minister and chief of protocol at MOFAT. “Until now, the leaders and participants got all the attention. But this time I tried to put the joy and agony of the working-level staff members engaged in setting protocol in the spotlight.”

The photos are displayed in an exhibition titled “Protocol Officers Enter the Frame” organized by MOFAT.

The exhibition continues through Oct. 23 at Kyung-in Museum of Fine Arts in Insadong, Seoul. <The Korea Times/Chung Min-uck>