Have you ever noticed US has never sent a Japanese American Ambassador to Japan in its entire history of diplomacy with Japan while its recent decision to send Chinese American envoy to China and its nomination of a Korean American to South Korea have been made? Only white American Ambassadors to Japan have been sent to Japan. It is something internal to the US government, though. No doubt something is going on in the minds of the US politicians in determining their nominations. USA may be pretending to be Tomodachi to Japan but deep down it is still considering Japan as its potential enemy? http://bit.ly/mXVxJf US Ambassador to S. Korea Nominee Sung Kim Hopes to Better Relations between Seoul & Washington
Sung Kim, who will be the new US ambassador to South Korea once the Senate approves his nomination, spoke at a hearing before the Foreign Relations Committee in Washington on Thursday.
Having dedicated much of his professional career as a diplomat working on the partnership between Seoul and Washington, he said he hoped to make the alliance even stronger and more balanced.
[Interview : Sung Kim, US Ambassador to S. Korea Nominee] "My hope is, if confirmed, I will be able to draw on my experience and expertise to expand and enhance the bond between the two countries."
The 51-year-old diplomat served as the US envoy for the six-party nuclear talks since 2008 and when asked about North Korea, he said he plans to work closely with Seoul when dealing with Pyeongyang.
[Interview : Sung Kim, US Ambassador to S. Korea Nominee] "I hope to continue to contribute our common effort to achieve verifiable denuclearization of the Korean peninsula and better lives for the long-suffering people of North Korea."
However, he added that he doesn't believe Pyeongyang is ready to return to serious negotiations despite its calls for talks and that, in light of incidents over the past two years, the North needs to prove that it will be a serious partner when the long-stalled negotiations resume.
Kim is expected to win Senate confirmation, and when he does, he will be the first Korean American envoy to South Korea.
He will replace the current ambassador Kathleen Stephens, who will step down sometime next month.
Laah Hyun-kyung, Arirang News.
Gary Locke confirmed as U.S. ambassador to China
The Senate on Wednesday unanimously confirmed outgoing Commerce Secretary Gary Locke as the next U.S. ambassador to China, making him the first Chinese-American to assume that post.
Locke replaces Republican Jon Huntsman, who left the China post to enter the 2012 presidential race.
He will arrive in Beijing at a delicate time in U.S.-China relations. The two countries only recently resumed military ties after a period of tension; China cut off most contact with the Pentagon last year after the United States sold arms to Taiwan and President Obama met with the Dalai Lama.
Yet even as they have become more competitive militarily and diplomatically, the United States and China are in some ways more intertwined than ever. China is the largest foreign holder of U.S. debt — a fact that now has China nervously watching the roiling debt ceiling debate in Washington.
Locke became the first Chinese-American governor during his rise to prominence in Washington state. His visibility and expertise in global trade has helped him nurture ties in the Chinese business world.
During his confirmation hearing in May, Locke received a largely friendly welcome from senators.
At the time, he told the Foreign Relations Committee that he would press the Chinese for market and legal reforms, saying they were in their own best interests. He also expressed concerns about human rights violations, noting China’s recent crackdown on journalists, activists and lawyers.
By William Wan | 12:10 PM ET, 07/27/2011
Sung Kim, who will be the new US ambassador to South Korea once the Senate approves his nomination, spoke at a hearing before the Foreign Relations Committee in Washington on Thursday.
Having dedicated much of his professional career as a diplomat working on the partnership between Seoul and Washington, he said he hoped to make the alliance even stronger and more balanced.
[Interview : Sung Kim, US Ambassador to S. Korea Nominee] "My hope is, if confirmed, I will be able to draw on my experience and expertise to expand and enhance the bond between the two countries."
The 51-year-old diplomat served as the US envoy for the six-party nuclear talks since 2008 and when asked about North Korea, he said he plans to work closely with Seoul when dealing with Pyeongyang.
[Interview : Sung Kim, US Ambassador to S. Korea Nominee] "I hope to continue to contribute our common effort to achieve verifiable denuclearization of the Korean peninsula and better lives for the long-suffering people of North Korea."
However, he added that he doesn't believe Pyeongyang is ready to return to serious negotiations despite its calls for talks and that, in light of incidents over the past two years, the North needs to prove that it will be a serious partner when the long-stalled negotiations resume.
Kim is expected to win Senate confirmation, and when he does, he will be the first Korean American envoy to South Korea.
He will replace the current ambassador Kathleen Stephens, who will step down sometime next month.
Laah Hyun-kyung, Arirang News.
Gary Locke confirmed as U.S. ambassador to China
The Senate on Wednesday unanimously confirmed outgoing Commerce Secretary Gary Locke as the next U.S. ambassador to China, making him the first Chinese-American to assume that post.
Locke replaces Republican Jon Huntsman, who left the China post to enter the 2012 presidential race.
He will arrive in Beijing at a delicate time in U.S.-China relations. The two countries only recently resumed military ties after a period of tension; China cut off most contact with the Pentagon last year after the United States sold arms to Taiwan and President Obama met with the Dalai Lama.
Yet even as they have become more competitive militarily and diplomatically, the United States and China are in some ways more intertwined than ever. China is the largest foreign holder of U.S. debt — a fact that now has China nervously watching the roiling debt ceiling debate in Washington.
Locke became the first Chinese-American governor during his rise to prominence in Washington state. His visibility and expertise in global trade has helped him nurture ties in the Chinese business world.
During his confirmation hearing in May, Locke received a largely friendly welcome from senators.
At the time, he told the Foreign Relations Committee that he would press the Chinese for market and legal reforms, saying they were in their own best interests. He also expressed concerns about human rights violations, noting China’s recent crackdown on journalists, activists and lawyers.
By William Wan | 12:10 PM ET, 07/27/2011
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