President Yoon Suk-yeol’s Overseas Triumphs: Economic and Diplomatic Achievements

South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol’s Overseas Visits Yield Economic and Diplomatic Achievements

President Yoon Suk-yeol is currently on a state visit to the United Kingdom and France, marking his 15th overseas visit since taking office in May last year. His frequent visits, which occur approximately once a month, have incurred a total cost of 65.187 billion won, twice as much as his predecessors, Park Geun-hye and Moon Jae-in. President Yoon is dedicated to his overseas visits, actively pursuing diplomatic achievements.

President Yoon’s Motivation for Frequent Overseas Visits

In an interview with journalist Kim Mina, President Yoon stated that he chose to embark on frequent overseas visits due to the challenges of implementing domestic policies effectively. However, it is uncertain whether these visits have a positive impact on his approval ratings. In fact, there have been instances where his approval ratings decreased after his overseas visits.

President Yoon’s Overseas Visits: Costs and Economic-Diplomatic Achievements

President Yoon’s overseas visits have incurred a total cost of 65.187 billion won. He is genuinely committed to these visits, striving for diplomatic achievements. According to the Presidential Office, he has secured contracts worth a total of 79.2 billion dollars (103 trillion won). It is worth noting that out of the 52 contracts, 44 are memorandums of understanding (MOUs), which are preliminary agreements rather than actual contracts. Previous administrations have also touted MOUs as achievements. Notable diplomatic achievements include the Washington Declaration between South Korea and the United States, as well as the trilateral Camp David summit with the United States and Japan. The government evaluates these achievements as positive contributions to national security. However, some experts criticize President Yoon for being too focused on the United States, expressing concerns about deteriorating relations with China.

President Yoon’s Overseas Visits and Domestic Issues

President Yoon’s frequent overseas visits may give the impression that he prioritizes international affairs over domestic issues. While necessary visits are undoubtedly important, frequent and unnecessary visits may divert the president’s attention from domestic matters. Therefore, careful consideration is essential when deciding on overseas visits.