Biographical Note

New Permanent Representative of Republic of Korea Presents Credentials

 

(Based on information provided by the Protocol and Liaison Service.)

The new Permanent Representative of the Republic of Korea to the United Nations, Kim Sook, presented his credentials today to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki‑moon.

Prior to his current appointment, Mr. Kim was First Deputy Director of the National Intelligence Service (NIS) since February 2009.  From April 2008, he was the Special Representative for Korean Peninsula Peace and Security Affairs, in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

From January 2007 to April 2008, he served as Ambassador and Adviser for International Relations to Jeju Special Self-governing Province, before which he was Ambassador for Public Diplomacy on Korea-United States Relations for one year.

During a distinguished diplomatic career that began in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1978, Mr. Kim held several posts in the Ministry, including as Director-General, North American Affairs Bureau (February 2004-January 2006) and Senior Research Officer, Department of American Studies, Institute of Foreign Affairs and National Security (August 2003–February 2004).  He was Consul General, Korean Consulate General in Toronto, Canada (July 2000-August 2003).  He was Personnel Director, Office of Planning and Management, in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (1999-2000), and Deputy Consul-General, Korean Consulate General in San Francisco, United States (December 1996-February 1999). 

In 1996 he served as Assistant to the Foreign Minister, prior to which he held the position for one year of Director, North American Division I, American Affairs Bureau.  He also served in his country’s embassies in the United States twice:  first in 1981 and again in 1991; as well as in India in 1986.

Mr. Kim graduated from the Department of Sociology, Seoul National University, in February 1977.

Born on 19 September 1952, Mr. Kim is married with two daughters.

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For information media • not an official record