The delegation, which is set to depart for Washington next week, includes Democratic Party lawmaker Han Jun-ho and Kim Woo-young, a former senior political aide. Park will serve as the chief envoy.
The appointment comes at a critical moment in U.S.–South Korea trade relations, with Trump's tariffs set to take effect on August 1. Park, known for his deep ties to American business and policy circles, is expected to play a central role in advancing negotiations and easing tensions between the two allies.
The choice of Park underscores President Lee’s continued reliance on private-sector leaders in shaping national policy. Since taking office, Lee has brought several former corporate executives into top government posts, reinforcing his industry-driven approach to governance.
Among them are Ha Jung-woo, former head of AI innovation at Naver Cloud, who now serves as the presidential office’s first chief of AI Future Planning, and Han Seong-sook, former CEO of internet giant Naver, who was appointed Minister of SMEs and Startups.
Park’s rapport with President Lee dates back to the 2022 presidential campaign, when the two held a series of private discussions that laid the foundation for a working relationship.
Han Jun-ho served as Lee’s campaign operations chief, while Kim Woo-young was political coordination director during Lee’s leadership of the Democratic Party — both considered trusted members of the president’s inner circle.
The Washington mission is part of a broader push by the Lee administration to reinforce South Korea’s global standing amid shifting trade and geopolitical dynamics. The presidential office has dispatched or is planning envoy missions to 14 countries, including Japan and China.
reporter
Kim Dong-young
davekim0807@ajupress.com
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.
View more comments