U.S. President Donald Trump, front row center, takes part in a charter announcement for the U.S.-led Board of Peace initiative aimed at resolving global conflicts, at the annual World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Jan. 22. Reuters-Yonhap
Korea will participate as an observer in theinaugural meetingof the U.S.-led "Board of Peace," dispatching a former envoy to the session in Washington, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Wednesday.
"Kim Yong-hyun, former ambassador to Egypt, will attend the inaugural meeting of the Board of Peace scheduled for Feb. 19 as the Korean representative," the ministry said in a statement.
A ministry official told The Korea Times that Korea will attend as a nonmember observer and that Kim will serve as a special envoy of the foreign minister.
"No final decision has been made on whether Korea will formally join the board, and the government is reviewing the matter from various angles," the official said.
Korea's decision to send a representative to the inaugural session appears to signal cautious support for the U.S.-led initiative, as Seoul weighs whether to join the newly launched forum. The foreign ministry has said that it is reviewing participation, taking into account the board's potential contributions to peace and stability, as well as Korea's possible role.
At the first meeting, participants are expected to discuss a reconstruction plan for war-ravaged Gaza. U.S. President Donald Trump wrote on social media earlier this week that he would unveil details of a $5 billion aid program for Gaza at the meeting.
Along with Korea, other invited countries that have not formally joined — including Japan, Italy, Romania, Greece and Cyprus — are expected to attend as observers.
The Washington-led initiative was launched on Jan. 22 on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. Initially framed around the Gaza conflict, it has stated its intention to evolve into a broader global forum.
Source: Korea Times News
