New Ambassador to Japan, 'Japan Expert' Kang Chang-il Expresses Strong Will to Normalize Korea-Japan Relations

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeon Jin-young] Kang Chang-il, Honorary Chairman of the Korea-Japan Parliamentary League (68), who was appointed by President Moon Jae-in on the 23rd as the new Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Japan, stated that his appointment reflects "a strong will to normalize Korea-Japan relations."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

In a phone interview with Asia Economy on the afternoon of the same day, Kang was cautious about making remarks, saying, "I am still careful about speaking," but added, "There must have been a strong will (from President Moon Jae-in) to normalize Korea-Japan relations."

Kang Min-seok, the Blue House spokesperson, held a briefing at the Press Center in the afternoon and announced the personnel appointment. Spokesperson Kang explained, "Honorary Chairman Kang earned his doctorate from the University of Tokyo in Japan and is a historian who has studied Japan for a long time in academia. As a politician with four terms as a member of the National Assembly, he served as secretary-general and chairman of the Korea-Japan Parliamentary League and is an expert on Japan."

He added, "With the launch of the Suga Cabinet in Japan, we expect that based on his expertise in Japan, experience, and long-standing high-level networks, he will unravel the tangled Korea-Japan relations and create an opportunity to move toward a future-oriented bilateral relationship."

Ambassador-designate Kang graduated from Ohhyun High School in Jeju and the Department of Korean History at Seoul National University. He earned a master's degree in East Asian history and a doctorate in literature from the University of Tokyo in Japan. Afterward, he worked as a professor in the Department of Japanese Studies at Paichai University and as a visiting researcher at the Faculty of Letters at the University of Tokyo. He began his political career as a member of the 17th National Assembly and served four consecutive terms. During the 20th National Assembly, he also served as chairman of the Korea-Japan Parliamentary League.

Ambassador-designate Kang is expected to be officially appointed soon after going through the agrement (appointment approval) procedure with the host country.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.