Sudden Replacement of the Korean Ambassadors to Japan and Russia

The government plans to replace the Korean ambassador to Russia Lee Jae-Chun by naming the Senior Presidential Secretary of Foreign and National Security Affairs Jung Tae-Ik as a successor. And, the Korean ambassador to Japan Choi Sang-Yong will be replaced by Cho Se-Hyung, a Standing Advisor of the New Millennium Democratic Party (NMDP).

According to a government official, "These replacements are to bring the successful conclusion of the following measures of President Kim Dae-Jung`s summit diplomacy within the remaining terms of President Kim`s office. Especially, it was considered that Korea should emphasize the big-four-diplomacy (America, China, Japan, and Russia) during next year."

But, on the replacement of Amb. Lee, accusing it as an `retaliatory replacement` the opposition Grand National Party (GNP) requested withdrawal. The GNP Spokesman Nam Kyung-Phil criticized that, "There is a suspicion that this replacement is a punitive measure for Amb. Lee`s excessive hospitality toward the GNP President Lee Hoi-Chang during his visit to Russia."

However, the NMDP Spokesman Lee Nak-Yeon said, "While the opposition party is arguing that the replacement of Amb. Lee is related with President Lee`s visit to Russia, it is an irresponsible statement that is not grounded on any fact."

Amb. Lee stirred criticism after his five-days of `excessive accompany` from Moscow to St. Petersburg in attendance upon the GNP President Lee during his visit to Russia last month.

It is known that Amb. Choi`s replacement was due to the successive diplomatic conflicts between Korea and Japan, such as the textbook controversy, and saury fishing negotiation, etc.

Jong-Hoon Lee taylor55@donga.com