US envoy to Korea to skip trilateral summit over health issue

U.S. Ambassador to Korea Philip Goldberg said Wednesday he won't be able to travel to an upcoming trilateral summit between Korea, the United States and Japan in his home country due to a health issue.

U.S. President Joe Biden is set to host Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida for the trilateral summit at Camp David on Friday (local time).

"I regret that a health issue will prevent me from traveling for the historic trilateral meetings at Camp David," Goldberg wrote on social media without elaborating on his condition. The ambassador said he will "continue to be engaged on preparations and monitor progress in consultations with senior U.S. counterparts in Washington."

"I look forward to working with President Yoon and the ROK government to fulfill shared commitments made at this week's summit," Goldberg said, referring to Korea by an acronym of its official name, the Republic of Korea.

Per diplomatic custom, an ambassador usually accompanies the leader of the state of where he or she is posted when the leader travels to the envoy's home country.

During Yoon's state visit to the U.S. in April, Goldberg received the Korean president upon his arrival and accompanied Yoon on key itineraries in Washington, including visits to Arlington National Cemetery and the U.S. Department of Defense. (Yonhap)