Seoul: The eldest son of former President Roh Tae-woo has been chosen as South Korea’s new ambassador to China, a senior government official revealed. If confirmed, Roh Jae-heon, aged 60, who is currently the director of the East Asia Culture Center in Seoul, will become the first ambassador to Beijing under the Lee Jae Myung administration.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the official stated, “I understand that Roh has been selected for the post, with working-level procedures currently in progress.” Despite not being a career diplomat or a key political figure within the administration, Roh has been involved in activities related to China. This includes serving as an adviser to an international advisory council in the Chinese city of Chengdu in 2016 and participating in exchange programs.
An official from the ruling Democratic Party mentioned that the government likely considers him a suitable candidate to improve bilateral ties due to his “expertise on China that he built up beyond what is publicly known.” Roh previously issued an apology on behalf of his father for the violent crackdown on a pro-democracy uprising in the southwestern city of Gwangju in 1980.