WASHINGTON (Yonhap) -- South Korean Ambassador to the U.S. Choi Young-jin has presented his credentials to President Barack Obama, completing diplomatic procedures for the change of Seoul's top envoy here, according to an embassy official.

"Amb. Choi attended the credential ceremony on Wednesday at the White House, along with his family," an official at the South Korean Embassy said.

The event took place shortly after Obama's return from a surprise visit to Afghanistan.

"The White House requested an event for the ambassador's family. So, other embassy officials did not participate in it," the official said.

With the handing of the credentials from South Korean President Lee Myung-bak to Obama, Choi was granted full diplomatic authority as ambassador to Washington.

Choi, former vice foreign minister, arrived in Washington in March to take up the post.

He replaced Han Duck-soo, who became the head of the Korea International Trade Association in February.

He also worked as special representative of U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon for Cote d'Ivoire for five years from 2007.