Korean envoy to rev up public diplomacy in U.S.

WASHINGTON (Yonhap News) ― The South Korean ambassador to the U.S., Han Duck-soo, plans to visit four U.S. states later this month as part of efforts to reach out to ordinary people under an annual “Ambassadors’ Dialogue on Korea” program, the Korea Economic Institute said Wednesday.

Han will be accompanied by former U.S. ambassador to Seoul Kathleen Stephens and Jack Pritchard, president of the KEI, on the five-day tour of Missouri, Utah, Nevada and Arizona to start on Nov. 29, according to the organization.

“In each city, the two ambassadors will address audiences of civic leaders, students, veterans, local media, business representatives and local political leaders to discuss the current security and economic situation on the Korean Peninsula and the state of U.S.-Korea relations,” the KEI said. “The core event in each city is a joint appearance by the two ambassadors at a luncheon or dinner program sponsored by a local organization.”

Han, formerly prime minister, has served as Seoul’s top envoy in Washington since 2009. Stephens returned to the U.S. earlier this year after a three-year stint in Seoul.

The Ambassadors’ Dialogue on Korea has been a premier annual KEI event since it started in 1992 to broaden and deepen understanding among Americans about South Korea and the Seoul-Washington alliance.