Kang Kyung-wha

Kang Kyung-wha, born on April seventh, nineteen fifty-five, is a distinguished South Korean diplomat and politician. She made history as the first female Foreign Minister of South Korea, serving under President Moon Jae-in from two thousand seventeen to two thousand twenty-one. Her appointment marked a significant milestone, as she was the first woman to be nominated and appointed to this prestigious position.

In addition to her role as Foreign Minister, Kang has the distinction of being the first South Korean woman to hold a high-level position within the United Nations. Her career is characterized by groundbreaking achievements, including being the first non-exam-taker to ascend to the role of director-general at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Kang's contributions to diplomacy extend to her participation in the inter-Korean summit, where she became the first South Korean foreign minister to join the official delegation and visit Pyongyang. Her efforts in fostering dialogue and cooperation in the region have been widely recognized.

Currently, Kang serves as the president and CEO of the Asia Society, where she continues to influence international relations and cultural exchange. In two thousand twenty-five, she was appointed as the twenty-ninth ambassador of South Korea to the United States, further solidifying her role as a key figure in global diplomacy.