On his first day in office, South Korea’s new foreign minister spoke of a “difficult” diplomacy situation with North Korea but assured the public that both Seoul and Washington could “easily” work together to move things forward.

Chung Eui-yong, who officially replaced foreign minister Kang Kyung-wha on Monday evening, gave a speech at a government building on his inaugural day and vowed to continue President Moon Jae-in’s “peace process” with North Korea.

Formerly the director of South Korea’s National Security Office, Chung also served as Seoul’s special envoy to North Korea in 2018, when he metNorth Korean leader Kim