SEOUL – In a significant reshuffle, South Korea has named new ambassadors to six countries, including Iran and Germany, as announced by the foreign ministry on Friday. This move is part of a broader diplomatic reorganization aimed at strengthening South Korea’s global relations.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Kim Jun-pyo, currently serving as the director general for North American affairs, has been appointed as the ambassador to Iran. Lim Sang-beom, who previously held the position of presidential secretary for national security strategy, will take on the role of ambassador to Germany.
The reshuffle also includes the appointment of Jeong Yeon-doo, a former ambassador to the Netherlands, as the top envoy in Turkey. Additionally, Park Kyong-sig, previously the deputy consul general in Hong Kong, will assume the position of ambassador to Ghana.
Further appointments include Park Ji-hyun as the new ambassador to Madagascar and Noh Won-il as the ambassador to Uruguay. These changes reflect South Korea’s ongoing efforts to bolster its diplomatic presence and strengthen ties with these nations.
In addition to these ambassadorial appointments, the foreign ministry also announced the appointment of five other diplomats to lead the South Korean consulate general in various locations. These include assignments in San Francisco, Niigata and Sapporo in Japan, as well as Chengdu and Qingdao in China, marking a comprehensive reshuffle aimed at enhancing South Korea’s diplomatic outreach and effectiveness across multiple continents.
SEOUL – South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul engaged in his first telephone conversation with Vietnamese Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son on Friday. The discussion focused on strengthening bilateral ties and addressing regional security concerns.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Cho emphasized the need for expanded cooperation in various areas, including diplomacy, economics, and defense. This call for enhanced collaboration follows the upgrade of South Korea-Vietnam relations to a “comprehensive strategic partnership” in 2022. Cho also sought Vietnam’s support in bolstering South Korea’s comprehensive strategic partnership with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), coinciding with the 35th anniversary of dialogue relations this year. ASEAN includes Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand, Singapore, and Vietnam.
Vietnamese Foreign Minister Son underscored the significance of Vietnam’s relationship with South Korea, expressing commitment to continued close cooperation for the advancement of their bilateral ties and regional peace.
The ministers agreed to enhance communication through high-level exchanges, including a planned meeting between the two foreign ministers. They also exchanged views on the security situation around North Korea and the South China Sea.
Friday’s phone conversation marked the fourth such discussion for Cho since assuming office earlier this month. Cho has previously held phone talks with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa, and Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, highlighting South Korea’s active engagement in regional and international diplomacy.