"President Moon Jae-in plans to send a special envoy to the Vatican to mark the 70th anniversary of the Vatican sending its diplomatic mission to the country and to help improve the Korea-Holy See relationship," it said.

It added the dispatch of a special envoy also reflected the new South Korean government's active intention to strengthen their cooperation for peace and security of the Korean Peninsula.

Archbishop Kim currently serves as the head of a South Korean association of bishops.

He is one of only six special envoys named since the president came into office last week. The others include envoys to the United States, Japan, China and Russia. (Yonhap)