Minister lobbies to retain part of trade functions

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade Affairs (MOFAT) began a belated effort Friday to keep its trade related division.

In proposed government apparatus changes, the ministry is supposed to be stripped of trade policy-setting and negotiating functions, which will be handed over to the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Energy.

The changes are part of President-elect Park Geun-hye’s transition team’s administrative overhaul.

The foreign ministry claims that it has performed negotiating functions for the past 15 years, lobbying the committee to grant its wish.

The ministry also launched a task force with the idea of categorizing trade affairs into two — policy-making and trade negotiations.

One-hundred-and-thirty officials are currently affiliated to trade duties — half each to the former and latter.

Foreign Minister Kim Sung-hwan cut short an overseas trip to make a personal appeal.

Kim, who was previously scheduled to return on Jan. 22, returned Friday. He said he had not been informed by Park’s team of the move.

Kim is planning to visit the team to give the ministry’s position on the issue and is also to meet the lawmakers of The National Assembly Foreign Affairs, Trade and Unification Committee to request a modification of the restructuring plan.

“Minister Kim will meet with the transition team and lawmakers to state the ministry’s position and to get the exact picture of the planned restructuring,” an official was quoted as saying.

Since the restructuring plan, which still needs National Assembly approval, was announced, foreign ministry officials have expressed surprise in the media and raised concerns it may undermine their role in providing collaborative efforts in diplomacy and trade. Some have expressed uncertainty over whether they would be transferred, while others questioned whether it would impact MOFAT’s diplomatic efforts.

The task force will look at personnel issues involved with the transfer.

Some officials in charge of trade likely to be transferred “are showing their intent to stay” at MOFAT the official said. The status of officials dealing with trade in the ministry could reportedly be changed from “diplomatic” to “administrative.”

Aides to Park said the move was made to increase professionalism. It also appeared to be in line with an economy-first approach by Park, who campaigned on improving the economy and social welfare.

Analysts say trade negotiations had been a cornerstone of diplomacy. Korea has eight free trade agreements (FTA) in place and a dozen concluded or under negotiation. Five more are under consideration. <The Korea Times/Kim Young-jin, Chung Min-uck>