[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] Harry Harris, the U.S. Ambassador to South Korea, is reportedly discussing plans to resign, according to a Seoul-based article on the 9th citing major foreign media sources. It was conveyed that he privately expressed he does not plan to stay in Korea beyond the U.S. presidential election in November.
According to the report, a source said Ambassador Harris hoped to remain in Korea only until November, even if U.S. President Donald Trump succeeds in his re-election. Harris was appointed as the U.S. Ambassador to South Korea in July 2018. The U.S. State Department and the U.S. Embassy in Korea have not issued any statements regarding this.
Foreign media noted, "Previous U.S. Ambassadors to South Korea typically served about three years and enjoyed building friendships with Koreans," but they also highlighted that tensions between South Korea and the U.S. intensified during Harris’s tenure.
The source said, "Ambassador Harris would not publicly say that he was stressed or that life was difficult," adding, "He is a four-star general and has been through a lot." The source continued, "However, no one likes working for people who do not appreciate their efforts, and it is not the right way for a deeply bonded ally to hurl racially discriminatory insults."
In January, Ambassador Harris told foreign reporters that he had become a target of criticism in Korea because of his Japanese heritage, saying, "For some reason, my beard seems to have become a kind of fascination here. I am criticized in the media, especially on social media, because of my racial background, particularly as a Japanese American."
Ambassador Harris was born to a Japanese mother and a U.S. military father stationed in Japan. He served as the U.S. Navy Pacific Commander before being appointed as Ambassador to Korea in July 2018. Harris said he grew a mustache to commemorate the start of his new life as a diplomat.
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