Ex-FM Kang likely to be appointed as ambassador to US: sources

Former Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha is likely to be soon appointed as Korea's top envoy to the United States, sources familiar with the issue said Monday. If confirmed, Kang, who served as Korea's top diplomat from 2017 to 2021 under former President Moon Jae-in, will become the Lee Jae Myung administration's first ambassador to Washington. "President Lee is soon likely to appoint ambassadors to the United States, Japan, China and Russia," a ruling bloc official told Yonhap News Agency by phone. "Among these countries, I understand some have begun (appointment) procedures." A government official said Kang was being considered as the top candidate for ambassador to the U.S. Separately, Lee Hyuk, Seoul's former top envoy to Vietnam, has been mentioned as a strong candidate for ambassador to Japan. The presidential office said that nominees for the U.S. and Japan have been selected, adding that the announcement will be made once diplomatic consultations with the respective countries are completed. The move comes as Lee will visit Japan on Saturday for a summit with Japanese Prime MinisterWeiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Korea Times Weiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Korea Times