New ambassadors to be appointed for Japan, China

By Kim Bo-eun

Jang Ha-sung

Nam Gwan-pyo

Former second deputy director for National Security Nam Gwan-pyo is likely to be named ambassador to Japan, while Jang Ha-sung, the former presidential policy chief, will take up the post in China, according to sources, Friday.

President Moon Jae-in appears to think that appointing a new ambassador to Japan will help ease the current strain in bilateral relations that has arisen over conflicts involving Korean sex slaves and rulings on forced labor victims.

Nam served as first secretary at the Korean Embassy in Japan in 1992, and had been the second deputy director for national security since the launch of the Moon administration until Thursday, when he was replaced by former trade minister Kim Hyun-chong.

Former First Deputy Director for National Security Lee Sang-chul may be appointed as ambassador to Austria. He was replaced by retired Army Lt. Gen. Kim You-geun. Kim was in charge of overseeing the relocation of the U.S. Forces Korea, at the defense ministry, before he was tapped for the position.

Cheong Wa Dae Spokesman Kim Eui-kyeom said "Both Lee and Nam have devoted themselves to the Moon administration since it was launched, and have seen palpable outcomes." He implied they would continue to serve weighty roles in the Moon administration.

Jang, the new ambassador to China nominee, joined Cheong Wa Dae as presidential policy chief at the beginning of Moon's term, and led the policy of income-led growth. He stepped down from his position in November last year due to a conflict with Kim Dong-yeon, the then-finance and deputy prime minister.

The post in China has been vacant since former Ambassador Noh Young-min was named presidential chief of staff in January.

Moon is also known to be considering replacing current Ambassador to Russia Woo Yoon-keun. Woo is alleged to have received kickbacks from a real estate developer in return for job favors, when he was a lawmaker of the then-Democratic Party in 2009.