Diplomat; a Public Servant
In the 2011 state-administered examination for diplomats, 1659 people applied-making the competition rate 55 against 1. 38 people passed the 2nd part of the exam and moved on to the 3rd part, interview. Finally, on 16th of June, 26 people for the diplomacy trade duty, two as an English linguist and one Russian linguist has been chosen to as the diplomacy of South Korea. A total of 29 people passed and gained the chance to stand on world stages with a Korean flag. Out of these 29 people, Hyung Kwon Jung, a student of Seoul National University, passed with the highest score, average of 71.62. He graduated Dae Jin Boys High School and currently is a senior at Seoul National University as international relations major. Jung said he was worried before starting to prepare for the examination for diplomats because he didn’t know how long it would take for him to pass. However with passion, he tried to reach his goals and at his 3rd try he managed to pass and now is ready to stand on world stages.
Since Ban Ki Moon has been inaugurated as the Secretary General in United Nations, many teens dream about working as diplomacy like him. Hyung Kwon Jung gives advices to teens with the dreams in the diplomacy field and reveals one’s plans as a diplomacy.
Q. Could you give us an introduction about yourself?
A. Hello guys, I am Hyung Kwon Jung. I go to Seoul National University and I am majoring in international relations. I am 27 years old and recently passed the state-administered examination for diplomats.
Q. Since when and how did you start to dream about becoming a diplomat?
A. When I was 13 years old, I had an opportunity to stay in the United States. While staying in the States, I really enjoyed competing with my colleagues from all around the world. Since then, I have pictured myself in the world stage. Since coming back to my country, I have always dreamed of being a diplomat, a career that would perfectly fit for my goal: overcoming my limitations and also helping Korea to raise its international image.
Q. When you become a diplomat you have to travel to many different countries. Which country do you want to work at the most and why?
A. The region that I mostly want to work is the Latin America. Regardless of its importance to South Korea, the nation has been showing little attention to the region due to many reasons including geographic distance. However, in order to become one of advanced nations, South Korea desperately needs Latin American countries. In particular, these nations are rich in natural resources of which South Korea lacks. These days, South Korea is trying to narrow its distance with the region by signing various agreements such as MOUs and FTAs. I wish I can be a little help to my country accomplish its national task to be a friendly nation to the Latin American region.
Q. What do you hope to pursue at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade as a diplomat?
A. As we all know, diplomat is public servant also. Therefore, as a future diplomat, I will devote myself for the Korean people and my country. At the same time, I will improve my English and second language ability so as to be a small help to Korea to become an international leader in the world stage.
Q. In the future, what kind of diplomat do you want to be remembered as to the world?
A. I want to be remembered as a person that has been honest for his whole life and always passionate to pursue new goals and as a person who has never given up.
