SEOUL — President Yoon Suk Yeol has announced the appointment of new ambassadors to Japan and Australia as well as a new labor minister, aiming to strengthen diplomatic ties and address domestic labor issues.
According to Yonhap News Agency, a noted expert on Japan and current head of the Korea National Diplomatic Academy (KNDA), has been nominated as the ambassador to Tokyo. Retired Navy Admiral Sim Seung-seob, who served as chief of naval operations from 2018 to 2020, has been named the ambassador to Canberra. These appointments come as part of a broader reshuffle that also includes the nomination of Kim Moon-soo, head of the presidential Economic, Social and Labor Council, as the new labor minister.
Kim Moon-soo, during a press briefing at the presidential office, emphasized his commitment to listening to various stakeholders including labor groups, user groups, and academic and press communities. He highlighted the government’s role in actively supporting workers, even from small businesses, to achieve their aspirations. Meanwhile, Park Cheol-hee’s expertise on Japan is expected to play a key role in navigating the complex relations with Tokyo, especially considering historical tensions. Sim Seung-seob’s military background and his leadership during the Moon Jae-in administration will inform his duties in Australia, following the resignation of the previous ambassador amid an investigation.
Additionally, Ambassador Choe Hyoung-chan, the former envoy to the Netherlands, has been appointed as the new head of the KNDA, further indicating a strategic reshuffle in key diplomatic and domestic positions.