Bahk Eun-ji has been with The Korea Times since 2012, building a career across multiple desks. She began at the Business Desk, where she conducted in-depth interviews with key figures in Korea's corporate world. Later, she moved to the Politics & City Desk, focusing on education policy and social affairs. She later served as team leader of the digital content team, leading curation efforts on the newspaper’s homepage and reshaping print stories for social media audiences to enhance digital reach. Now back on the Politics Desk, she covers the National Assembly and the Ministry of National Defense, with a renewed focus on political developments.
Appointment of special envoy to US stalled by pushback within ruling party
Lee Jae Myung, then chairman of the Democratic Party of Korea, shakes hands with Kim Chong-in, former interim leader of the People Power Party, during a meeting at a restaurant in Gwanghwamun, Seoul, Sept. 12, 2024. Joint Press Corps
By Bahk Eun-ji
The presidential office has named special envoys to key diplomatic partners to signal Korea’s reengagement on the global stage, outline its new policy agenda and deepen cooperation across a range of strategic sectors.
But efforts to finalize its delegation to Washington have been hampered by internal divisions, particularly over whether to include Kim Chong-in, a veteran economist and influential political strategist.
The delegation was initially expected to include Kim and Rep. Lee Un-ju, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea’s (DPK) Supreme Council. According to sources with direct knowledge of the party’s internal discussions, Kim’s exclusion may have stemmed from concerns among some members over his age, ideological posture and past criticism of the party’s trajectory.
Kim is a veteran politician and economist with decades of experience at the highest levels of Korean politics. He’s served as a lawmaker and minister, and has even led major political parties. While he has worked with both conservative and liberal factions in the past, his independent streak and focus on economic democratization often puts him in a position that transcends strict partisan lines.
Responding to reports of his exclusion, Kim dismissed the speculation, saying he had never been formally asked to join the delegation. In comments to local media, he expressed frustration with the process, remarking that "there is no point in carrying out a kindergarten-style special envoy mission" — a remark broadly interpreted as a critique of the delegation’s perceived lack of professionalism and focus. He added that it might be better not to proceed at all "if the goal and format are unclear."
Asked Monday about Kim’s remarks, the presidential office said there had been "no change" to the delegation list so far. While officials declined to confirm specific names, they noted that discussions remain underway and that final decisions will be guided by diplomatic priorities and scheduling feasibility.
Earlier reports indicated that the president also selected Rep. Kim Woo-young to visit the U.S. as a special envoy. He is a key supporter of Lee Jae Myung who served as political affairs director when Lee was the DPK chairman. The aim of the visit is to strengthen bilateral communication and deliver the administration’s strategic positions ahead of key negotiations, including those related to defense cost-sharing and trade.
Following comments from U.S. President Donald Trump, who has called for a sharp increase in Korea’s contribution to hosting American troops, the selection of envoys has taken on added significance.
On Sunday, the presidential office announced the appointment of special envoys to the European Union, France, the United Kingdom and India. However, no envoys have yet been named for the United States, Japan or China — nations that have traditionally been central to such missions in past administrations.