Ambassador to Indonesia and DPRK policy envoy Sung Kim pictured on the Department of State website, edited by NK News | Source: Wikimedia Commons
Sung Kim, the new U.S. special envoy to North Korea, will only fulfill his role on a part-time basis, multiple informed sources confirmed to NK News on Wednesday. His main job will continue to be U.S. Ambassador to Indonesia, based in Jakarta.
It had been assumed by many that Kim would be primarily focused on the North Korea portfolio. South Korean President Moon Jae-in described Kim’s unexpected appointment as a “surprise gift” over the weekend, and American and South Korean media described Kim as the former U.S. ambassador to Indonesia shortly after his
Sung Kim, the new U.S. special envoy to North Korea, will only fulfill his role on a part-time basis, multiple informed sources confirmed to NK News on Wednesday. His main job will continue to be U.S. Ambassador to Indonesia, based in Jakarta.
It had been assumed by many that Kim would be primarily focused on the North Korea portfolio. South Korean President Moon Jae-in described Kim’s unexpected appointment as a “surprise gift” over the weekend, and American and South Korean media described Kim as the former U.S. ambassador to Indonesia shortly after his new role was announced.
Chad O'Carroll is the founder of NK News/NK Pro and related holding company Korea Risk Group. In addition to being the group's CEO, O'Carroll is a frequent writer and commentator about the Koreas, having written about the two nations since 2010. He has visited the DPRK multiple times, worked and lived in Washington, D.C. with a focus on peninsula issues, and lived in the ROK since 2016.