To play the role of the "President's mouth" on major diplomatic stages
It was confirmed on May 4 that a foreign ministry official born in 1991 was selected as an English interpreter for President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol, who will replace the "President's mouth" on major diplomatic stages such as the Korea-U.S. summit.
It is surprising that a person born in the 1990s was selected as the position where Foreign Minister nominee Park Jin and former Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-hwa went through.
According to a report by the Chosun Ilbo, Kim Won-jip, 31, an official at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, was appointed as Yoon's "English interpreter."
Kim is likely to serve as an administrator in charge of interpreting in the protocol secretary's office. Kim graduated from Daewon Foreign Language High School and Korea University.
In the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, he went through U.S.-South Korea security cooperation department and others in North America, and worked in the Overseas People's Protection Department and appeared on many broadcasts for the purpose of promoting travel safety. He reportedly returned to Korea in March this year after working at the Korean Embassy in Austria.
An official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, "After a few candidates are selected based on their career, reputation, and English skills, the Presidential office will comprehensively evaluate them and decide on a Presidential interpreter."
He added, "It is an honor to convey the President's thoughts in English at the closest distance, but it is also under tremendous stress that there should be no mistakes."