Former FM Attends Diplomatic Event

At the  reception to mark the 51st National Day and 21st Anniversary of  Kuwait Liberation  held on Monday (Feb. 27) evening at Hotel Shilla, not a few attendants seemed surprised to find a person whom they didn’t expected to meet in such an official event.

He was Yu Myung-hwan, former Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister. Actually, it is quite natural for any former foreign minister to attend such diplomatic function. But, people’s initial reaction was apparently related to his dishonorable departure from his post about one and half years ago.

However, his appearance turned out to have  given a vigor in the atmosphere of the gathering. H.E. Muteb Al-Mutoteh, Kuwait Ambassador to Korea, welcomed his attendance by hugging him. Other embassy staffs were also seemed elated at the unexpected guest. Some 20 foreign Ambassadors attending the reception rushed to  him and shook hands with him.

His appearance could be seen unusual in view of the general mind-set of the Korean people because he quit his ministerial post in September 2010 over a scandal in connection with the inappropriate employment of his daughter as an official of  his ministry.  

But, Yu mingled with foreign and local guests in a relaxed manner.  He told reporters that “I have no experience of serving in Kuwait during my career as a diplomat, but I readily accepted the invitation. I feel good to have come here. The Ambassador and other guests are very much delighted to see me. It’s a good thing for me as well as for our country too.”

Moreover, he stayed there until the end of the event, betraying people’s expectation that he would leave the place soon. His ‘bold’ attitude looked fresh and seemed to have set a new precedent in the behavior of former high ranking officials who quit their posts in disgrace.  Despite his sudden departure, many people still vividly remember his brilliant activities as a career diplomat. It is hoped that people could be able to find him in such occasions more often in the days to come.