By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Kevin Kim, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, has been named as acting US ambassador to South Korea, the US Embassy in South Korea announced on October 27, 2025. "In South Korea, Chargé d'Affaires Kim will work with the Embassy staff and the Korean government to advance the mutual interests and shared values of our two countries and strengthen our unwavering commitment to the ROK-U.S. alliance," the U.S. embassy said on its X (formerly Twitter) account. Kevin Kim, a Korean-American, graduated from Johns Hopkins University an
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Ahead of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province on October 31, the Donald Trump administration is replacing Joseph Yun, the U.S. Chargé d'Affaires in South Korea. Appointed by former U.S. President Joe Biden, Yun was named to the position on January 10, ten days before President Trump's term began. According to diplomatic sources, Kevin Kim, the U.S. State Department’s Deputy Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, is being considered as his successor. This marks the second time in just nine mo