![Kevin Kim, Acting U.S. Ambassador to South Korea [Photo=Yonhap News]](https://image.ajunews.com/content/image/2025/10/27/20251027104900365096.jpg)
SEOUL, October 27 (AJP) - Kevin Kim, a senior official in the U.S. State Department, "has been appointed Chargé d'Affaires, ad interim," the U.S. Embassy in Seoul said in press release on Monday.
Kim "previously served as senior bureau official for the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs and deputy assistant secretary for Japan, [South] Korea, and Mongolia," it said, adding that he will work with embassy staff and the South Korean government to enhance "mutual interests and shared values" as well as Washington's "ironclad commitment" to the biliteral alliance.
It also shared that the department expressed its "deep gratitude" to outgoing Acting Ambassador Joseph Yoon for his "leadership and dedication in advancing the Unites States' interests."
Kim, like his predecessor, is of Korean descent and handled North Korea-related affairs at the department from 2018 to 2020, assisting then-Special Representative for North Korea Stephen Biegun.
It seems unusual that another acting ambassador will assume the role, given that the post is meant to be filled temporarily until a formal envoy is appointed, which requires Senate confirmation and takes several months.
* This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP.
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