Lee Administration Set to Replace 'Four Major Power' Ambassadors... Orders Issued for US, Japan, and Russia Envoys to Return

With the nomination of most inaugural cabinet candidates nearly complete, the Lee Jae Myung administration has begun the process of appointing ambassadors to the so-called "four major powers" surrounding the Korean Peninsula: the United States, China, Japan, and Russia. Since all ambassadors to these key countries were appointed under the Yoon Suk Yeol administration, it is expected that they will soon return to Korea.

President Lee Jae Myung is speaking at the Cabinet meeting held at the Yongsan Presidential Office Building in Seoul on July 1, 2025. Photo by Yonhap News

According to diplomatic sources on July 1, the government instructed key ambassadors?including Cho Hyundong, Ambassador to the United States; Park Chulhee, Ambassador to Japan; and Lee Dohoon, Ambassador to Russia?to return to Korea around the end of last month. The post of Ambassador to China is currently vacant. In addition to these officials, Hwang Joongook, Ambassador to the United Nations; Moon Seunghyun, Ambassador to France; and Yoon Yeocheol, Ambassador to the United Kingdom, are also reportedly included among those being recalled.

It is customary for a new administration to request the resignation of all overseas ambassadors. In particular, special ambassadors who are not career diplomats are typically replaced according to the new administration’s foreign policy direction, as these positions are directly appointed by the president. An official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated, "It has been customary to conduct a reappointment process for overseas ambassadors following the inauguration of a new administration."

The government is expected to move quickly to appoint new ambassadors. However, since the National Assembly confirmation process for Cho Hyun, the nominee for Minister of Foreign Affairs, has not yet been completed, and because ambassadorial appointments require agr?ment (the host country's approval of diplomatic envoys), some embassies are likely to be headed by charg?s d'affaires for the time being.