OrganizationPermanent Mission of the Republic of Korea to the United Nations

About the Mission

Organization

About the Mission
Organization

Ambassador Sangjin Kim

Deputy Permanent Representative of the Republic of Korea to the United Nations

Ambassador Sangjin Kim began his current position as Deputy Permanent Representative of the Republic of Korea to the United Nations in January 2023. As a diplomat with the Korean Foreign Ministry since 1994, he has served in key leadership positions both in Seoul and abroad during his distinguished career. This includes, most recently, as Director-General for International Policy at the Ministry of National Defense in Seoul from 2020 to 2022.

Prior to this, Ambassador Kim was seoconded to the Office of the Director of National Security at the Office of the President for two separate terms, from 2019 to 2020 and from 2013 to 2014. He also served as Director for North Korean Nuclear Policy Division, as well as Director for Human Resources Management Division at the Ministry.

His diplomatic career further includes his roles, among others, as Minister at the Korean Embassy in Prague, Czech Republic from 2017 to 2019; and Counsellor at the Korean Embassy in Washington D.C., United States of America from 2014 to 2017.

He graduated from Yonsei University in Seoul in 1992 with a B.A in Public Administration. He continued his studies at the Fletcher Graduate School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University in Massachusetts, US, where he received a Master in International relations in 2000.

Ambassador Kim is married with a son.

Ambassador Hyunwoo Cho

Ambassador Cho Hyun-woo began his current position as Deputy Permanent Representative of the Republic of Korea to the United Nations in August 2023. As a diplomat with the Korean Foreign Ministry since 1994, he has served in key leadership positions both in Seoul and abroad during his distinguished career. This includes, most recently, as Ambassador for International Security Affairs and Special Advisor to the Foreign Minister since May 2023.

Prior to this, Ambassador Cho served as Minister at the Korean Embassy in the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam from 2021 to 2022. He also served as Director-General for Unification Policy at the Ministry of Unification from 2020 to 2021, as well as Deputy Executive-Director at the 2019 ASEAN – Republic of Korea Commemorative Summit Preparatory Office from 2019 to 2020.

His diplomatic career includes his further roles, among others, as Counsellor at the Korean Embassy in the United States of America from 2014 to 2016; Director, ROK-US Security Cooperation Division from 2012 to 2014; Director, SOFA Affairs Division, North American Affairs Bureau Minister from 2011 to 2012; and Counsellor at the Korean Embassy in Sudan from 2008 to 2011.

He graduated from Korea University in Seoul in 1994 with a B.A. in Political Science & International Relations. He continued his studies at the School of Advanced International Studies at Johns Hopkins University in Washington D.C., US where he received a M.A. in International Relations in 2002.

Team sections and responsibilities

Team sections and responsibilities
Sections	Activities
Security Council and Peacekeeping Operations (PKO) Team	Works on issues related to the Security Council, including international sanctions, peacekeeping operations and Security Council reform, in order to maintain international peace and security in countries afflicted by conflict as well as the larger world.
General Assembly Team	Works on issues related to the General Assembly, including elections, the activities of the Secretary-General, and developing friendly relations with other nations.
Disarmament Team	Works on issues related to the First Committee of the General Assembly, including disarmament of all weapons stocks and non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. Also monitors the transport, import and export of weapons and publishes arms trade and weapons possession information on the UN Office of Disarmament Affairs website.
Economic Development and Environment Team	Works on issues related to the Second Committee of the General Assembly and the Economic and Social Council, including economic growth and development, financial issues, RIO+20, Triangular Cooperation, cooperation between North and South countries and South-South Cooperation.
Social, Humanitarian and Cultural Team	Works on issues under the Third Committee of the General Assembly, including social and humanitarian affairs and human rights issues. Examines issues such as the empowerment of women and girls, the health and well-being of women and children, and fighting against racism and other forms of discrimination.
Administrative and Budgetary Team	Works on issues related to the Fifth Committee of the General Assembly, including administrative and budgetary matters, such as making budget-related recommendations to specialized agencies.
Legal Team	Works on legal issues dealt with in the Sixth Committee of the General Assembly.
General Affairs	Oversees administrative work of the Republic of Korea Mission.