Gyeongbuk Province Appoints 5 APEC Special Foreign Policy Committee Members: Lee Taesik, Shin Bonggil, Ham Seongdeuk, Lim Jongryeong, Kim Jonggeol

by Gu Daeseon

Published 09 Jan.2025 09:58(KST)

Gyeongbuk Province has appointed special diplomatic policy committee members for APEC in order to successfully host the 2025 APEC Summit.

The Special Policy Committee is composed of former diplomats and international relations experts who will provide diplomatic support and policy advice on international events. Their term runs from January 1 to December 31.

Lee Tae-sik, Former Ambassador to the United States

The appointed special policy committee members include five individuals: Lee Tae-sik, former Ambassador to the United States; Shin Bong-gil (President of the Korea Diplomatic Association); Ham Sung-deuk (Dean of the Graduate School of Political Studies at Kyonggi University); Lim Jong-ryeong (Professor at Seoul Graduate School of Foreign Studies); and Kim Jong-geol (Professor at Hanyang University Graduate School of International Studies).

Lee Tae-sik, former Ambassador to the United States, has also served as Ambassador to the United Kingdom and Israel, as well as Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Shin Bong-gil, President of the Korea Diplomatic Association, is a former diplomat who served as Ambassador to India and Jordan.

Professors Kim Jong-geol and Ham Sung-deuk are experts in international studies and international relations, while Professor Lim Jong-ryeong was the first simultaneous interpreter for the South Korean government and worked as an interpreter and translator at the U.S. Embassy in Korea.

Professor Im Jong-ryeong

The committee members will utilize their professional experience and knowledge to provide advice for the successful hosting of international events held in the region, as well as serve as a continuous communication channel with APEC members and businesspeople.

Additionally, they plan to focus on dispelling international concerns regarding APEC arising from domestic political situations and securing credibility for the successful hosting of the event.

Gyeongbuk Province has achieved outstanding results in international exchanges with neighboring cities and the globalization of the Saemaul Undong through active local diplomacy, and it is expected that the use of special policy committee members will create a definite synergy effect in national diplomacy for the 2025 APEC Summit.

Lee Cheol-woo, Governor of Gyeongbuk Province, stated, “The special policy committee members appointed today possess the international experience and expertise necessary to realize the vision of ‘2025 APEC Summit Gyeongju, Gyeongbuk Beyond to Make Korea a Top-tier Nation!’” and urged, “Please do your best to ensure the successful hosting of the 2025 APEC Summit.”