Kang Seung-seok Appointed as Consul General in Wuhan Since November Last Year: "Committed to Ensuring the Safety of Overseas Koreans"

Appointment of China Expert Who Retired Late Last Year

Kang Seung-seok, Newly Appointed Consul General in Wuhan

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on the 19th that Kang Seung-seok, former head of the Dalian office, has been appointed as the new Consul General in Wuhan, a position that had been vacant for several months. The Wuhan Consulate General in China, the origin of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), had been vacant since November of last year.

Consul General Kang will lead four consular officers, including Deputy Consul General Lee Kwang-ho, who remain on site supporting about 100 overseas Koreans. A Ministry of Foreign Affairs official stated, "He is a person with expertise in Chinese diplomatic affairs," and added, "We plan to do our best to ensure the safety of overseas Koreans and respond to the situation." Consul General Kang will depart for Wuhan this evening aboard a government cargo plane carrying relief supplies.

Regarding the timing of the appointment, a Ministry of Foreign Affairs official said, "In response to COVID-19, it was judged necessary to appoint him quickly to protect overseas Koreans, so the appointment was made before the regular personnel announcement."

Consul General Kang, who retired at the end of last year, joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1988 and has served as Vice Consul in Qingdao, Vice Consul in Hong Kong, Second Secretary at the Embassy in Malaysia, Consul in Shenyang, Counselor at the Embassy in New Zealand, and Head of the Dalian office. A Ministry of Foreign Affairs official emphasized, "It is important to utilize diplomatic assets regardless of whether they are active or retired," and added, "The most suitable person has been appointed."

Previously, former Wuhan Consul General Kim Young-geun resigned in November after it became known in March last year that he had made inappropriate remarks.