Cho Hyun (68), nominated as the first Minister of Foreign Affairs candidate under Lee Jae-myung’s government, is regarded as an expert in multilateral diplomacy.

Nominee for Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Hyun / Courtesy of the Presidential Office

Candidate Cho, a native of Gimje in North Jeolla Province, graduated from Jeonju High School and majored in political science and diplomacy at Yonsei University. He obtained a master’s degree in international relations from Columbia University, a master’s in political science from the University of Paris, and a doctoral degree in political science from Toulouse 1 University.

Having entered the Ministry of Foreign Affairs through the 13th foreign service examination in 1979, Candidate Cho has served in various roles including director of Multilateral Trade Organizations Division, senior officer in the Multilateral Trade Bureau, director-general of International Economic Affairs Bureau, deputy ambassador to the United Nations for the Republic of Korea, ambassador for energy resources, director-general of the Multilateral Trade Bureau, ambassador to Austria, ambassador to India, Vice Minister, and First Vice Minister, and ambassador to the Korean Mission to the United Nations.

In particular, he worked at the Blue House during the Participatory Government and served as both the First and Second Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs under the Moon Jae-in government, which has led to his assessment as being rich in expertise and practical experience not only in multilateral diplomacy but also in trade-related issues.

The presidential office stated that Candidate Cho has rich experience in both bilateral and multilateral diplomacy, having served as the First and Second Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, adding, “He is knowledgeable about trade issues, having headed the international economic bureau of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and will actively address pressing issues such as tariff negotiations and Middle Eastern affairs.”

▲ Gimje, North Jeolla Province (68) ▲ Jeonju High School - Yonsei University Department of Political Science and Diplomacy - University of Paris - Toulouse 1 University ▲ 13th foreign service examination ▲ Deputy Ambassador to the United Nations ▲ Ambassador for Energy Resources at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade ▲ Director-General of the Multilateral Trade Bureau, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade ▲ Ambassador to Austria ▲ Ambassador to India ▲ Second Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs ▲ First Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs ▲ Ambassador to the United Nations (UN)