hankyoreh

The United States has tapped Kathleen Stephens, currently an advisor at the State Department on East Asia and Pacific Affairs, as the next ambassador to South Korea, diplomatic sources said on Wednesday.

Stephens was formerly the principal deputy assistant secretary of state, and is now serving as advisor to Christopher Hill, who is assistant secretary of state and the chief U.S. envoy to the six-nation denuclearization talks on North Korea.

Stephens is in charge of Korean peace treaty issues, according to the sources.


Her earlier assignments were as consular and public affairs officer in Guangzhou, China, political officer in Seoul, Korea and principal officer in Busan, Korea. She worked in the former Yugoslavia during its violent disintegration as a political officer.


If confirmed, she would become the first female U.S. ambassador to Seoul.

Stephens would replace Alexander Vershbow, who has been serving in Korea since October 2005. She speaks fluent Korean, having picked up the language while working in the southern city of Buyo as a Peace Corps volunteer 1975-77. She also speaks Cantonese and standard Chinese.

The State Department named her as the single candidate for the post, and recently requested an official White House nomination.

Her confirmation hearing is expected sometime in the spring next year.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 (Yonhap)