Cheong Wa Dae to pick new envoy to U.S. early next week 


Korea’s international traders’ group on Friday recommended Han Duck-soo, Seoul’s ambassador to Washington, as its chief, a day after he offered to resign, saying his major task of completing the bilateral free trade pact with the U.S. is over.

The recommendation came as key members of the Korea International Trade Association convened a top-level meeting in Seoul to discuss who will succeed their current head SaKong Il.

SaKong, whose three-year term ends next Wednesday, said last Friday that he would not seek another term. Twenty leading members including STX Group chairman Kang Duk-soo, GS Caltex chairman Hur Dong-soo and Sajo Industries chairman Ju Jin-woo attended the meeting.

KITA officials said that the recommendation was made in consideration of his deep economic knowledge and experience, and a critical role he has played to expand the country’s free trade pacts with foreign trading partners.

When the preceding Roh Moo-hyun government was in FTA negotiations with the U.S. in 2006, he served as a vice prime minister and economy minister. Later in the year, he headed a presidential commission to support the FTA talks.

The decision on SaKong’s replacement will be confirmed at the association’s general meeting slated for next Wednesday after the recommendation is reviewed at its board meeting on Monday.

Established in 1946, the KITA, an independent civilian organization, has worked to promote and enhance trade cooperation in the civilian sector, and sought to address regulatory and other challenges facing local traders, with the government.

The abrupt announcement of Han’s resignation has sparked speculations that there might have been some conflict between him and the presidential office of Cheong Wa Dae.

News reports said as Han allegedly moved in favor of the U.S. interests during the FTA negotiations with Washington, there was a conflict between him and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Presidential officials, however, denied the speculation.

It is unusual that an ambassador to the four major countries of the U.S., China, Russia and Japan announces his or her resignation in an abrupt manner without sufficient preparations regarding the replacement.

As the Korea-U.S. FTA was ratified, it was widely expected that Han, who has served there since February 2009, would carry on his ambassadorial job until the end of Lee’s presidential term in February 2013.

Cheong Wa Dae is expected to pick Han’s replacement early next week.

“The process of searching for his replacement is now underway. His replacement should be a person who is well-versed in the U.S. situations and can work for the job smoothly and immediately,” a senior Cheong Wa Dae official told reporters, declining to be named.

Mentioned as candidates for Han’s replacement are Chun Young-woo, senior presidential secretary for foreign affairs and security, and Rep. Park Jin of the ruling Saenuri Party.

SaKong was also seen as a candidate, but he said that he would like to “take a rest,” sources said.

Former Unification Minister Hyun In-taek is unlikely for the post as he has little diplomatic experience. Former Trade Minister Kim Jong-hoon is also unlikely as he is said to be mulling running in the April 11 general elections.

By Song Sang-ho (sshluck@heraldcorp.com)