Korean Ambassador to U.S. Likely to Step Down

South Korea’s top envoys to its neighboring powers and the U.S. will likely undergo a shakeup next year as Seoul tries to realign its diplomatic front.

At stake, among others, are ambassadors to the United States and China. According to officials Monday, the government has begun reviewing candidates for the two posts set to be replaced in February.

Amb. Han Sung-joo, who has served in the U.S. for about two years, has repeatedly said he was willing to quit the job before February next year, though his country wants him to stay more in consideration of the critical situation facing the two allies.

Seoul and Washington have been going through various issues, including the realignment of American forces in South Korea, in addition to the North Korean nuclear crisis.

One of the candidates often floated to be Han’s successor is Moon Chung-in, chairman of the Presidential Committee on Northeast Asian Cooperation Initiative, according to Chong Wa Dae (the Korean Blue House) sources.