Professor Park Sang-mi of HUFS, who interpreted for Obama, appointed as UNESCO Ambassador to the United States

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo In-ho] Professor Park Sang-mi of the School of International Studies at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies was appointed as the Ambassador to UNESCO on the 17th.

Appointee Park not only possesses excellent English skills, having earned a Ph.D. in Cultural Anthropology from Harvard University on a full government scholarship, but is also recognized as a cultural heritage expert, having served as Chair of the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Evaluation Body and as a member of the Cultural Heritage Administration’s Intangible Cultural Heritage Committee. She is regarded as highly qualified. Previously, she made significant contributions to the inscription of Korea’s kimchi culture and Nongak on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list.

An official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs explained the background of Park’s selection, stating, “Based on her outstanding English proficiency and expertise and experience in public cultural diplomacy, she is expected to promote the excellence of our cultural heritage at UNESCO and actively protect national interests in handling sensitive issues.”

The Korean Permanent Delegation to UNESCO in Paris, France, is responsible for cooperation with the UNESCO Secretariat, a specialized agency of the United Nations in education, science, and culture. Recently, it has also dealt with sensitive issues such as the inscription of World Heritage sites involving historical conflicts between Korea and Japan, which relate to national interests, as mentioned by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs official.

U.S. President Barack Obama (right), visiting Korea, is listening to Professor Park Sang-mi's explanation during his visit to Gyeongbokgung Palace.

Appointee Park demonstrated her excellent English skills when she introduced former U.S. President Barack Obama to the War Memorial of Korea in Yongsan, Seoul, and Gyeongbokgung Palace during his visit to Korea in April 2014. At that time, President Obama toured major pavilions within Gyeongbokgung Palace, including Geunjeongjeon, Sajongjeon, and Gyeonghoeru, guided by Park.

At Sajongjeon, the office of Joseon kings, when Park explained that “Joseon kings had to meet with their officials from 5 a.m., working diligently,” President Obama famously responded with a joke, saying, “The U.S. president’s job is just like that.”

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs appointed Kyeon Jong-ho, Director of the Public Cultural Diplomacy Bureau, as Consul General in Vancouver; Kim Hyung-jun, former Director of the Presidential Office’s Chunuchu Press Center, as Consul General in Osaka; and Park Geon-chan, former Chief of the Gyeongbuk Police Agency, as Consul General in Fukuoka.

Appointee Kim is known as a pro-Japan figure, having graduated from Keio University and served as head of a Japanese company’s Korean branch and leader of the Japan team at Kim & Chang law firm. He also served as head of the Public Communication Team in President Yoon Seok-yeol’s transition team secretariat.

Appointee Park is known to have been responsible for President Yoon’s security during the transition period after the presidential election.

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