Overview

• President Lee has selected former foreign minister Kang Kyung-wha for Washington, with U.S. approval reportedly in process.
• Veteran diplomat Lee Hyuk, a former ambassador to Vietnam and longtime Japan specialist, is the choice for Tokyo.
• Noh Kyu-duk has been tapped for South Korea’s UN post as the country prepares to assume the UN Security Council presidency next month.
• The presidential office says the Washington and Tokyo picks are set, with formal announcements to follow diplomatic consultations with the host governments.
• The accelerated staffing comes ahead of Lee’s trip to Tokyo this weekend and his first summit with President Donald Trump on Aug. 25.