Korea | Nordic Council Discussion on G7

[Jay]

Official Letter from President of the Republic of Korea​

Delivered by Republic of Korea Permeant Mission to the Nordic Council Stockholm​

Private and encrypted​

Dear Secretary General Dahl, < Connor >

I hope this email finds you in good health. Over the past several months the Republic of Korea has deliberated internally over the global situation we find ourselves in. The Russian Financial Crisis, Russian Civil War, and subsequent global shocks as the European Economic Crisis of 1998 and the uprisings in India and attacks in Dhaka show that our world is rapidly evolving. Meeting that challenge and being able to levy the tools of global capitol, military cooperation, and diplomatic engagement can allow a group of leading nations to adapt too many crises. A group of nations, consisting of Argentina, Germany, Korea, Spain, the United Kingdom, the United States and the Nordic Council would be a non-governmental body present in the chambers with a total of seven members

While ideological differences over the scope of multilateral engagement, the depth of cooperation, and the purpose of a small number of states deciding global affairs may be pressing matters. We hope that putting these issues out of the equation for the moment can allow us to see the benefit of a small, specific-goal oriented, and communicative body can achieve quick solutions to pressing matters.

Our Economic Intelligence Unit indicates that the seven countries mentioned account for 66 billion of the 313 billion in yearly revenue. With 21% of global revenue they account for close to 60% of global wealth with $176 billion in wealth. They also account for little over 20% of the global population with 660 million people. Such an inter-governmental forum would allow us to discuss candidly and work to help humanity into the 21st century.

Our Proposal would be for a non-instituted inter-governmental forum with rotating presidencies on alphabetical order to be established. Allowing our countries to discuss candidly on global issues and work to address them through consensus agreements. The Nordic Council is perhaps on of our globes most enduring institutions. Weathering the storms of domestic political moments and global international crisis. The Council proves what a few likeminded nations may accomplish together. Yet. The Council is also limited in its capacity at times. I know that this is an item which all your members states must discuss and a council must convene to support. I hope that your secretariat may look at our proposal and speak candidly on your position.

The Nordic Council would be a crucial institution in our forum. Representing the Nordic Countries, it offers the Nordic people a stronger seat on global diplomacy and decision making. Levying its collective strengths in financing, economics, and stability. I hope you will look favorably on our position for the Nordic Council to be apart of our group of nations. The Council continues to inspire me to pursue this vision of a better humanity. One which, I hope you will be apart of.

Signed with sincerity,
President Kim Dae-jung
Republic of Korea

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Republic of Korea
Blue House
All information is protected from release by the Diplomatic Communications Security Act 1997
Authorized viewing is limited to those directly emailed, cc'd, and bcc'd​

 

[Connor]

Nordic Council
Secretariat​

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Dear President Kim Dae-jung,

First of all rest assured your correspondence finds me in good health this afternoon as regional temperatures reach an all time high and I look forward to the rapidly approaching weekend. Although work in our field never truly ends, the reassurance that those around the world benefitting from organisations such as the Nordic Council can catch their well deserved respite. We have reached the other end of some truly troubling times recently and I truly believe that the New Year is an opportunity for new beginnings a clarity on the true picture before us.

I have to start by concurring with your mention of the Russian Financial Crisis and the consecutive European Economic Crisis that decimated our stock markets almost overnight - this too was a subject the Nordic Council presided over and together we were able to constructively put the power of a small group of nations to ensure that the impact of these crisis were limited at home. My understanding is that the Republic of Korea has benefit substantially from these outcomes, to the tune of billions of dollars which we are delighted has made some real effect.

Nonetheless I must start by commenting on my surprise that the G7 you propose consists of, as you say, six every strong global nations and almost as an after thought the Nordic Council, an organisation rather than a nation, is appended to the end. Despite both Germany and Korea, who maintain some form of membership within the council, being given their own seat.

Allow me to take a moment to correct your misunderstandings surrounding the Nordic Council as I strongly believe the name of our organisation has led you astray with our core values, objectives and mission. The Nordic Council was born from three founding nations, Sweden, Denmark and Norway, who coincidentally are all within the Nordic region hence the natural selection of our organisations name. However, times change and soon the focus of the council did too and we rapidly saw the encompassing of Finland, Germany and of course, Korea. Needless to say these nations are not Nordic. The core values remained the same however our power as one began to stretch across the globe bringing change to a range of sectors managed by our standing committees and under the management of NORSCOM, the Presidium and the Secretariat.

We have seen to the transfer of billions of dollars in donations. We have seen to the provision of humanitarian aid. We have seen our forces combine in defence of what's right. We have seen collaboration in the construction of infrastructure. We have seen recovery from the most unimaginable disasters.

Not as a regional insignificance. As a global alliance. United.

So whilst I appreciate your correspondence I have to disagree that the Nordic Council is limited in its capacity... quite the opposite actually. We do not represent the Nordic region solely. We represent democracy, justice, human rights, equality, rule of law, respect, tolerance and liberty. Presumably this differs from the views of the Republic of Korea? or that of the G7?

Whilst I thank you for your correspondence and it is a pleasure to speak to the President of an observer state, I do not believe the position of the Nordic Council in the G7 is appropriate.

Kind regards,
Emilie Dahl
Secretary General
Nordic Council Sceretariat

Jay

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CONFIDENTIAL
Crown Copyright © Kingdom of Sweden
All information is subject to the Swedish Document Classification and Security Act 1995​

 

[Jay]

Official Letter from President of the Republic of Korea​

Delivered by Republic of Korea Permeant Mission to the Nordic Council Stockholm​

Private and encrypted​

Dear Secretary General Dahl, < Connor >

Thank you for your response Secretary General. As you have said, the work in our field truly never ends. Thank you for your diligence and expertise in articulating the position of the Nordic Council and your institutions position on the proposal for the G7. The door for the council's participation in the G7 is always open and one Korea will continue to lobby for in the years to come.

I look forward to how the G7 and bilaterally Korea can cooperate with the Nordic Council in avenues that are to our interests. I hope that the regional temperatures in the Nordic area take a turn for the best. We have been dealing with our own plummeting temperatures at an all time low over here in the East.

As the water recedes the rocks appear.
President Kim Dae-jung
Republic of Korea

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Republic of Korea
Blue House
All information is protected from release by the Diplomatic Communications Security Act 1997
Authorized viewing is limited to those directly emailed, cc'd, and bcc'd​