Lee Tae-sik Named Ambassador to U.S.

On September 29, President Roh Moo-hyun officially announced that he appointed Vice Foreign Minister Lee Tae-sik as the new ambassador to the United States to replace Hong Seok-hyun.

President Roh also named Yu Myung-hwan, the current second vice foreign minister, as first vice foreign minister to succeed Lee, and Foreign Ministry spokesman Lee Kyu-hyung as second vice foreign minister.

Presidential spokesman Kim Man-soo said in a press briefing on that day, “The U.S. State Department notified the Korean embassy in Washington of the agreement to appoint the new ambassador Lee Tae-sik.”

Spokesperson Kim also explained, “The first vice foreign minister Yu is an U.S. expert and has rich experience both in bilateral and multilateral diplomacy. Second vice foreign minister Lee is an expert on multilateral diplomacy and served a series of major positions at the headquarters, embassies, and legations abroad of international organizations.

The first vice foreign minister is in charge of regional diplomacy, planning and management, and ceremonies, and the second vice foreign minister is responsible for international organizations, treaties, cultural diplomacy and serving as consul for Koreans abroad.

Lee Tae-sik, ambassador to U.S.-

Born in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang province, age 60. Graduated from Kyungpook National University High school and the Department of International Relations, Seoul National University. Served as executive director of the Korean Peninsula Energy Development Organization (KEDO), Ambassador to Israel, Ambassador to the United Kingdom of Great Britain, First Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Yu Myung-hwan, first vice foreign minister-

Born in Seoul, age 59. Graduated from Seoul High School, and the College of Law, Seoul National University. Served as Korean Minister to the U.S., Ambassador to Israel, Ambassador to the Philippines, Second Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Lee Kyu-hyung, second vice foreign minister-

Born in Busan, age 54. Graduated from Seoul High School and the Department of International Relations, Seoul National University. Served as director-general of the foreign ministry`s bureau for international organizations, the Korean Minister to China, the Ambassador to Bangladesh, Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Yeon-Wook Jung jyw11@donga.com