Kevin Kim appointed US chargé d'affaires in Seoul

Kevin Kim / Courtesy of U.S. Department of State

Kevin Kim, a senior official at the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, has been appointed as chargé d'affaires ad interim at the U.S. Embassy in Seoul, the embassy announced Monday on its official website.

According to the statement posted on the embassy’s site, Kim “will work with the Embassy team and the Republic of Korea government to advance our mutual interest and shared values, as well as our ironclad commitment to the U.S.-ROK Alliance.”

Kim, a Korean American, previously served as deputy assistant secretary for Japan, South Korea and Mongolia at the State Department. Prior to joining the department, he worked as a professional staff member on the Senate Armed Services Committee and as a national security fellow in the office of U.S. Sen. Bill Hagerty.

Domestic reports said Kim played an operational role in arranging the 2019 impromptu meeting between the then-U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un at Panmunjeom.

During the Trump administration, he was closely involved in coordinating North Korea-U.S. summit logistics under former special envoy Stephen Biegun.

Following the start of Trump’s second term, Kim was appointed as the inaugural deputy assistant secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs. He also contributed to preparations for the South Korea-U.S. summit between President Lee Jae Myung and Trump in August.

The State Department expressed “deep appreciation for Ambassador Joseph Yun’s leadership and dedication in advancing U.S. interest,” and welcomed Kim’s appointment as Washington continues to strengthen shared security, encourage South Korean investment in the American economy, and deepen cooperation in areas of mutual concern.

Observers expect Kim to play a central role in policy coordination during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) events in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, this week.