![Foreign Minister Cho Hyun answers lawmakers’ questions during a National Assembly Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee meeting on the 15th. [Photo=Yonhap News]](https://image.ajunews.com/content/image/2026/04/30/20260430092920554878.jpg)
The Foreign Ministry on the 29th announced personnel changes affecting its North America line, including the head of its North American Affairs Bureau.
In the reshuffle of some mission chiefs and director-general-level posts, the ministry appointed Lee Won-woo, currently a senior official in the North American Affairs Bureau, as the new director-general. Officials said the embassy in Washington is also expected to replace its minister-level economic and public diplomacy posts in the near future.
Kim Sun-young, director-general for Bilateral Economic Diplomacy, is expected to take over as minister for economic affairs, and Yoon Ju-seok, director-general for Consular Affairs and Safety, as minister for public diplomacy. Both are expected to assume their posts next month, according to officials. The current officeholders, Ahn Se-ryeong and Kim Hak-jo, are expected to return to Seoul to work at ministry headquarters.
The changes drew attention as sensitive issues between South Korea and the United States continue, including limits on sharing information related to North Korea and a dispute involving Coupang.
A ministry official said the reshuffle included people who had served for a considerable period and reflected a routine personnel cycle.
Some of those affected were appointed under the previous government and, due to fallout from martial law and other factors, had served well beyond typical terms, officials said. Observers said delayed personnel moves were carried out belatedly in this round.
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.