Joseph Yun, former U.S. special representative for North Korea policy, has been named charge d’affaires to South Korea. According to diplomatic sources, this is after the departure of U.S. Ambassador Philip Goldberg on Tuesday. Yun’s appointment indicates a deviation from the traditional practices of the United States, where the deputy chief of mission takes over as acting ambassador in case of a vacancy.
The appointment can be viewed as Washington’s initiative to stabilize the U.S.-South Korea alliance at a particularly sensitive political juncture. South Korea, meanwhile, goes through political wrangling after the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol, with the U.S. getting set for policy turns under President-elect Donald Trump to assume office on January 20.
Yun, a retired Korean American diplomat, is expected to arrive in Seoul this week. Unlike formal ambassadors, a charge d’affaires does not require an agrément process or formal credentials. Yun’s responsibilities will include managing and fine-tuning bilateral relations until a new ambassador is appointed.
Yun, 70, has had a long diplomatic career that includes stints at the U.S. Embassy in Seoul, as well as tours in Thailand, Indonesia, Hong Kong, and Malaysia.
Key Achievements:
Yun has also been the U.S. ambassador to Malaysia (2013–2016) and the special representative for North Korea policy (2016–2018). While serving, he played a pivotal role in negotiations on North Korea’s nuclear plans and helped in securing the release of Americans being held there.
Yun’s return is expected to minimize disruptions caused by the vacancy in the U.S. ambassador role. Historically, such gaps have lasted for extended periods, such as the 18-month interval between ambassadors Mark Lippert and Harry Harris from 2017 to 2018. Goldberg, the outgoing ambassador, assumed office in July 202218 months after President Joe Biden’s inauguration.
It is still not known when a new ambassador will be nominated under the Trump administration. According to reports, former Republican Representative Michelle Park Steel, a Korean American politician, is being considered for the position.
Philip Goldberg ended his two-and-a-half-year tenure in South Korea, which marked the end of his 36-year diplomatic career.
Key Accomplishments:
He managed to improve the bilateral relationship, including signing the Washington Declaration in April 2023, elevating the security alliance into a nuclear-based framework.
Goldberg was also facing some difficulties brought about by the latest political instability in South Korea, which involved President Yoon’s short-lived declaration of martial law and the tragic crash of Jeju Water on December 29.
At the airport just before leaving, Goldberg said he believed in South Korea’s resilience and believed that, “I know these are very difficult moments for Korea, but I also know that the Korean people will get through them. You have a great democracy that will continue to function.”
Commenting on the U.S. policy outlook, Goldberg said, “Democracy, human rights, and those values remain integral to the American identity. While I cannot predict the Trump administration’s specific policies, these principles are deeply rooted in the American people.”
The appointment of Joseph Yun as charge d’affaires is a reflection of the U.S. commitment to strengthening its alliance with South Korea during a politically delicate period. His experience and diplomatic expertise are expected to bridge the gap until a new ambassador takes office.
We welcome your contributions! Submit your blogs, opinion pieces, press releases, news story pitches, and news features to opinion@minutemirror.com.pk and minutemirrormail@gmail.com
