Hong Joon-pyo: Jang Dong-hyuk's US Visit Was 'Sloppy,' Possibly Duped by Lobbyists

As a former mayor of Daegu and a prominent figure in South Korean politics, I must express my profound disappointment with the recent US trip undertaken by Jang Dong-hyuk, the current leader of the People Power Party. My assessment, based on the information available, is that the visit was handled with a surprising lack of preparedness, bordering on incompetence. It felt as though we were outmaneuvered by Washington lobbyists, a situation that should never have occurred.

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This visit by Jang Dong-hyuk felt so sloppy that it seemed like we were taken advantage of by Washington lobbyists.

My own experience visiting the US in October 2017, as the leader of the then-opposition Liberty Korea Party, stands in stark contrast. I had the privilege of meeting with key figures, including the Speaker of the US House of Representatives, who is third in the order of precedence. This was facilitated through official channels, a testament to the importance of the North Korean nuclear issue at the time, which warranted engagement with our conservative perspective.

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Normally, the ruling party arranges meetings with key US figures through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, but government officials do not meet with opposition party leaders due to protocol. That's why lobbyists are mobilized, and that costs a considerable amount.

In contrast, Mr. Jang's visit appears to have lacked proper protocol. While it's understandable for party leaders to meet with lawmakers through personal connections, engaging with US government officials typically requires the involvement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. When this is bypassed, the recourse is often through lobbyists, which incurs significant costs and suggests a lack of direct engagement. The fact that the party has been secretive about the identity of the US State Department official met, only releasing a photo showing a person from behind, further fuels concerns about the transparency and effectiveness of the delegation's efforts.

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Lawmakers from the House and Senate can be met through personal connections, but government officials do not meet with opposition parties. When I visited the US as the leader of the Liberty Korea Party, it was because of the North Korean nuclear issue, so key figures in the US administration were willing to meet to hear the opinions of the South Korean conservative camp. However, the current visit by the opposition party leader is out of the blue.

It is a fundamental principle in diplomacy and politics that one must first establish a strong position domestically before seeking to make an impact abroad. Without solid footing at home, any endeavors overseas are likely to be met with skepticism and limited success. The internal turmoil within the People Power Party, with calls for Mr. Jang's resignation even before his departure, undoubtedly weakened his standing and the perceived importance of his mission. This visit, ostensibly to advocate for the redeployment of US tactical nuclear weapons in response to North Korea's provocations, seems to have been poorly timed and executed, failing to achieve its intended impact.

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If you cannot establish your position domestically, you will be treated even worse abroad.