South Korea experienced a sudden top-level leadership reshuffle this week, beginning with the resignation of Kim Sung-han as national security advisor on Wednesday, a role that substantially shapes the country’s North Korea and foreign policy.

The surprise move is unlikely to affect a major shift in Seoul’s general policy direction concerning North Korea and its alliance with U.S. Cho Tae-yong, the ROK ambassador to the U.S. and Kim’s successor, shares similar foreign policy views with Kim, informed analysts in Seoul told NK News.

“South Korea’s DPRK policy will not significantly change just because the head of National Security Office