By Park Hye Ri

President Lee Jae Myung from July 14 started sending special envoys to four countries including the European Union (EU).

Domestic media outlets including Yonhap News on July 13 quoted the Office of the President as saying the day before, "The government has decided to deploy special presidential envoys to major countries to announce the return of a democratic Republic of Korea to the international community as well as explain the new administration's governance philosophy and foreign policy."

The envoy lineup is former Minister of Environment Yoon Yeo-joon (EU); former Minister of Justice Kang Kumsil (France); Democratic Party of Korea Rep. Choo Mi-ae (U.K.); and former Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum (India).

Envoy Yoon from July 14 will visit Belgium, where the EU is headquartered, to discuss boosting the bilateral strategic partnership. He will also convey Korea's intent to expand practical cooperation with the EU in areas such as advanced science and technology.

Envoy Kang will depart for France on July 15. The Office of the President said, "By strengthening our 21st century comprehensive partnership, we will expand cooperation with France in strategic industries such as trade, investment, artificial intelligence, space and defense as well as cultural and people-to-people exchanges."

Rep. Choo leaves for the U.K. on July 16 and will express Seoul's intent to reinforce their global strategic bilateral partnership in sectors like defense and the defense industry.

Envoy Kim will leave for India the same day to discuss upgrading the bilateral special strategic partnership, which marks its 10th anniversary this year, into all-encompassing cooperative ties.

The Office of the President said other special envoys will also depart for their respective countries as soon as their schedules are confirmed.

hrhr@korea.kr