Obama names Sung Kim ambassador amid diplomatic reorganization

Posted on : 2011-06-27 14:04 KST Modified on : 2019-10-19 20:29 KST
Analysts say despite the reshuffle, no immediate changes in Korean Peninsula policy are expected

By Kwon Tae-ho, Washington Correspondent 

 

Sung Kim, 51, was officially named the next United States ambassador to South Korea on Friday (local time) by U.S. President Barack Obama.

In a statement announcing the appointment, Obama said, “It gives me great confidence that such dedicated and capable individuals have agreed to join this administration to serve the American people.”

He also said, “I look forward to working with them in the months and years to come.”

Once Kim, a special envoy to the six-party talks on the North Korea nuclear issue, is confirmed by the U.S. Senate to assume the post, he will become the first Korean-American U.S. ambassador to South Korea in the 129 years since diplomatic relations between the United States and South Korea were first established in 1882.

With the ratification likely to take place prior to the August congressional recess, Kim appears set to take office during the month of August.

U.S. politicians placed great significance on the fact that a Korean-American was named as U.S. ambassador to South Korea.

David Straub, former director of the U.S. Department of State’s Korea desk, said, “With his knowledge of Korean language and culture, Mr. Kim will very effectively represent the United States’ interests in the Republic of Korea, and provide Washington with clear insights into Korea.”

The finishing touches are also being placed on a reorganization of the U.S.’s Korean Peninsula lineup with the nomination of Clifford Hart, foreign policy adviser to the Chief of Naval Operations, as Kim’s replacement as special envoy to the six-party talks. Following National Security Council Senior Director for Asian Affairs Jeffrey Bader’s departure to a position at the Brookings Institution in April after previously overseeing Korean Peninsula and Asia issues at the White House, his place was assumed by Daniel Russel, who previously served as the NSC’s South Korea-Japan director.

Sydney Seiler, who spent nearly three decades working in the area of North Korea intelligence, was tapped to take over Russel’s position. Deputy Secretary of State James Steinberg is also stepping down after previously overseeing North Korea policy, and former North Korea policy coordinator Wendy Sherman, who spearheaded a policy of conciliation with North Korea under the Clinton administration, is being talked about as a potential pick for Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs. In the Defense Department, Wallace Gregson stepped down as assistant secretary of defense, Asian and Pacific security affairs, a position in which he oversaw Korean Peninsula policy.

Despite the sweeping changes in the Korean Peninsula affairs lineup in the White House, State Department, and Defense Department, analysts predict no major changes in the immediate future for the Obama administration’s Korean Peninsula policy.

“The United States is a society that operates according to systems, not people,” said a Washington source. “What will have an impact on the Obama administration’s future North Korea policy is less individuals and more the political situation in the United States prior to the presidential election, the actions of North Korea, and the response from Seoul.”

 

Please direct questions or comments to [englishhani@hani.co.kr]

 

Most viewed articles