Foreign Minister Cho Hyun vowed Friday to revamp diplomatic missions overseas in a way that will boost their operational efficiency, as part of efforts to expand and diversify Korea's foreign policy amid a shifting international landscape. Cho made the remarks in a New Year message to foreign ministry officials, signaling plans to streamline the missions deemed less efficient while reinforcing the functions of those stationed in key regions. "For missions that show limited effectiveness, we will carry out efficient restructuring and reinforce core functions by focusing them on key missions," Cho said in his speech. His remarks followed media reports that the ministry scrapped plans to open new embassies in several countries after President Lee Jae Myung questioned the need for the expansion, reversing an initiative pushed for by the former Yoon Suk Yeol government. Cho called for overseas missions to better coordinate with Korean public entities operating abroad to ensure the collaboration will produce outcomes benefiting Korean nationals and companies based in the countries. "We will int