Diplomatic Appointments

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President Moon Jae-in has appointed ambassadors to major countries, with the exception of Russia in the 112 days since taking office. Professor Cho Yoon-je has been named as the top diplomat to the U.S. while Victor Cha has been called to be the next U.S. ambassador to Seoul. Korea is sending an economic expert to Washington as its envoy while the U.S. is sending over a North Korea expert to Seoul.

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The appointment of ambassadors to the US, China and Japan has also been completed. Newly appointed enjoy to the U.S. Professor Cho Yoon-je currently teaches at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology or KAIST. He earlier served as the head of the Korean mission in the UK and also led a policy think tank during President Moon's former campaigning days. The appointment of an economist as ambassador to the US, appears to showcase Seoul's priority placed on the issues of economy and trade in relations with the Trump administration. Noh Young-min, nominated as ambassador to China, is a three term lawmaker who also worked in Moon's election camp. The president chose his key confidant for the China post aiming to resolve complex issues related to China such as the THAAD deployment and North Korea's nuclear problem. Meanwhile Kyungnam University Professor Lee Su-hoon has been tapped as ambassador to Japan. Lee was previously an adviser for Northeast Asian affairs under the Roh Moo-hyun administration. A Cheong Wa Dae official said the president is also close to naming an ambassador to Russia. Therefore a decision is expected as early as next week before the president makes a trip to Russia. Meanwhile, Reuters news reported that Georgetown University professor Victor Cha has been named as ambassador to South Korea. The Korean American was a former director for Asian affairs on the White House National Security Council under the George W. Bush administration. Known to be hardliner on North Korea issues, Cha also served as the US deputy chief delegate to the six-way nuclear dialogue.