Korean-born Aussie named new Australian ambassador to Seoul

By Kang Seung-woo

James Choi

James Choi, a South Korean-born Australian, has been named Australia’s ambassador to Seoul, its Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) said Wednesday.

It is the first time a Korean-Australian will assume the position after the two nations established diplomatic ties in 1961.

He also is the second ethnic South Korean to head a foreign embassy in Seoul, following Sung Kim, the former U.S. ambassador who is now ambassador to the Philippines.

“James Choi has been appointed as Australia’s next Ambassador to South Korea, with non-resident accreditation to North Korea,” the department said.

Canberra maintains diplomatic relations with Pyongyang, so Choi, 46, will double as the ambassador to North Korea.

Choi migrated to Australia in 1974 when he was four and graduated from the University of Sydney, earning a Bachelor of Economics and a Bachelor of Laws.

Choi has been a senior career officer with DFAT since 1994. He has served as Ambassador to Denmark, with earlier postings at the Australian Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York and at the Australian Embassy in Seoul.

Choi, who will take over from Ambassador Bill Paterson, is scheduled to begin his appointment in December, according to DFAT.

South Korea is Australia’s fourth-largest trading partner and two-way trade was worth over $36 billion (41 trillion won) in 2015. They signed a free trade agreement in 2014, which DFAT said is delivering strong results for business in both countries.

The two nations also have strong education and tourism links and cooperate in multilateral forums as active members of the G20, Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), the East Asia Summit (EAS) and the MIKTA grouping.

“Australia and South Korea enjoy a warm relationship founded on common values and interests,” DFAT said.