Korean Ambassador Discovers Jacksonville

On his way to the airport after his two-day, whirlwind visit, Republic of Korea Ambassador Lee Tae-Sik was buoyant. "Please tell all your friends that this was the best local World Affairs Council experience I've ever had," he exclaimed. "The people of Jacksonville are not only very nice," he added, "but they also care about the issues. They really listened attentively!"

Invited as guest of honor for the annual Ambassador's Circle Dinner, jointly sponsored by Jaxport and WAC, Ambassador Lee came to Jacksonville with two distinct objectives: To urge Congressional approval of the pending R.O.K.-U.S. Free Trade Agreement, and to ensure that everyone he met is aware of his country's gratitude for the sacrifices the U.S. made on behalf of the South Korea we now know as both an economic powerhouse and a prime example of democratic government.

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The two days began with a tour by Jaxport Executive Director Rick Ferrin of the construction underway there for Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, the Japanese logistics and ocean transportation company that is funding a 158-acre container-handling facility. In light of the recently signed agreement between Jaxport and Korea's Hanjin Shipping to develop a $360 million container terminal adjacent to the Mitsui property, Ambassador Lee was eager to have a firsthand look at the property, and later said he was deeply impressed by Jaxport and its personnel.

Following the tour, Ambassador Lee was joined at the River Club by WAC President Jonathan Howe and Ambassador Marilyn McAfee at a luncheon gathering of local business leaders, hosted by Jaxport Chairman (and Council Board member) Dick Morales. Then it was off to the Festival Park studios of WJCT, where News Director Scott Kim interviewed Ambassador Lee and Rick Ferrin for later broadcast.

The weather turned cold that evening, but the atmosphere at Jaxport for the Ambassador's Circle Dinner could hardly have been warmer. Mayor John Peyton presented the Key to the City, which elicited a promise from Ambassador Lee that he would, indeed, use the key on his next visit. The Ambassador's after-dinner speech focused on the twin themes of the Free Trade Agreement and the strong relationship between our two countries.

After a one-hour editorial board meeting at the Florida Times-Union building the next morning, FTU Editor Pat Yack observed, "He spoke convincingly about a number of issues and answered our questions very directly."

The Ambassador and his party then strolled next door to the riverside dock at the Haskell Building, where Jim and Mary Winston's yacht "Slim" was waiting to take him and other invited guests for a delightfully sunny luncheon cruise on the St. Johns River. 

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But the most moving and memorable moments of his visit occurred during a final two-hour meeting, requested by the Ambassador, with a gathering of Korean War Veterans at the Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Wall. In the words of Dan McCarthy, chief of Jacksonville’s Veterans Services Division, "Ambassador Lee could not have been more genuine, gracious or professional. The first thing he did upon arrival was to…personally welcome each Korean War Vet….He listened intently to their collective comments about the war…."

There were few dry eyes among the elderly veterans as the Ambassador repeatedly assured them that their sacrifices in Korea will not be forgotten: "We remember," he said. "We will always remember."

He then presented each veteran with a slick new cell phone, manufactured by Korean electronics giant LG Corporation.

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It should be noted that Ambassador Lee made serious, last-minute efforts to extend his stay into the weekend, so great was his enjoyment of his first visit to Jacksonville. Only a reminder by his aide of a planned Saturday meeting with his diplomatic colleague and good friend Christopher Hill (U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian Affairs, himself scheduled for a Global Issues Forum in April 2008) caused him—grudgingly—to adhere to his original travel schedule.

The World Affairs Council of Jacksonville indeed has a new friend.

-Ronald P. Myers

Board of Directors

World Affairs Council of Jacksonville

Sponsored By:

Water Street Capital

Earthcore Industries, LLC

Jacksonville Business Journal

Mr. and Mrs. Jim Winston

SunTrust Bank

The University of North Florida

Co-Hosted With: