President Lee appoints former emergency committee chairman Kim Jong-in as a special envoy to the U.S.

President Lee Jae-myung has reportedly designated former emergency committee chairman Kim Jong-in of the People Power Party as a special envoy to the United States.

According to the ruling party on the 7th, the presidential office has appointed Kim, along with Democratic Party Supreme Council member Lee Eon-joo and lawmaker Kim Woo-young, to the U.S. special envoy delegation.

Kim is a prominent elder statesman who has traversed both progressive and conservative camps in his political career. Moreover, on May 8th during the presidential election period, he had a private luncheon meeting with President Lee to provide advice on state management.

Alongside Kim, Lee Eon-joo, a Supreme Council member, is mentioned as a member of the U.S. special envoy delegation. Ahead of the June 3 presidential election, she served as the chairperson of the party's future economic growth strategy committee, leading President Lee's pro-business growth narrative.

Additionally, lawmaker Kim Woo-young is considered part of the pro-Ming faction as he served as the head of the government coordination office during President Lee's tenure as party leader.

The final composition of this special envoy delegation to the U.S. will be officially announced once the appointments are finalized.

This U.S. special envoy delegation is expected to address various trade and security issues, including the U.S.-South Korea summit, tariff negotiations, and defense burden sharing.

However, the schedule for the U.S.-South Korea summit is undecided, and given the rapidly changing external situation in areas such as the Middle East, it has been reported that when the special envoy delegation will visit the U.S. is not yet determined.

President Lee is currently in the process of appointing a large special envoy delegation to over ten major countries, including the United States, allies, and friendly nations.

Image source: Last September, President Lee Jae-myung (then leader of the Democratic Party) and former emergency committee chairman Kim Jong-in of the People Power Party met at a restaurant in Gwanghwamun, Jongno-gu, Seoul, shaking hands. / News1, Former emergency committee chairman Kim Jong-in of the People Power Party / News1, Last month on the 6th, President Lee Jae-myung had a phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump from his residence in Hannam-dong. / News1