Senior presidential secretary for public relations Yoon Young-chan announces President Moon Jae-in’s choices for special envoys to be sent to the U.S., China, Japan, Russia, Germany and the European Union, during a press briefing at the Chunchugwan press center at Cheong Wa Dae on May 15. (Jeon Han)

By Sohn JiAe

May 15, 2017 | Cheong Wa Dae

President Moon Jae-in has named special envoys who will deliver his messages to his counterparts in the U.S., China, Japan, Russia, Germany and the European Union (EU). 

On May 15, senior presidential secretary for public relations Yoon Young-chan announced in a press briefing at Cheong Wa Dae that, “President Moon will send as special envoys Hong Seok-hyun, former CEO of the JoongAng Ilbo and JTBC news outlets, to the U.S., Lee Hae-chan, a former prime minister, to China, Moon Hee-sang, a former deputy National Assembly speaker, to Japan, lawmaker Song Young-gil to Russia, and, lastly, Cho Yoon-je, a Sogang University professor, to Germany and the EU.” 

The secretary stressed that, “The newly appointed envoys are believed to have the best understanding of the issues, and can deliver the president’s diplomatic vision and policies assuredly to his counterparts in each nation or organization.”

Calling the envoys “symbolical figures,” the secretary said, “They are the ones that have built amicable relationships throughout their successful careers with their respective nations or organizations. Each nation, too, will soon know why these individuals were chosen. The envoys will leave as soon as the government settles an exact schedule with each counterpart,” he said. 

***