Kang Chang-il (Korean: 강창일; Hanja: 姜昌一; born 28 January 1952) is a South Korean politician who is member of the National Assembly since 2004. Kang served as South Korea's ambassador to Japan from January 2021 to 2022.
Kang Chang-il | |
|---|---|
강창일 | |
 | |
| Member of the National Assembly | |
| Assumed office 30 May 2004 | |
| Constituency | Jeju–Bukjeju A (2004–2008) Jeju A (2008–present) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 28 January 1952 Bukjeju County, Jeju Province, South Korea |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Alma mater | Seoul National University University of Tokyo |
| Website | www.kangci.net |
| Korean name | |
| Hangul | 강창일 |
| Hanja | 姜昌一 |
| Revised Romanization | Gang Changil |
| McCune–Reischauer | Kang Ch'angil |
Early life and career
editKang Chang-il was born on 28 January 1952 in Bukjeju County (now Jeju City), Jeju Province. He graduated from Seoul National University. Kang lived in Japan while he received a PhD degree from the University of Tokyo.[1]
Political career
editKang was nominated by the Uri Party in the 2004 legislative election and was elected in Jeju City and Bukjeju County, Jeju Province. After that, he was elected successively in the 2008, 2012 and 2016 elections.[2]
On 15 June 2017, he was elected president of the Japan–Korea Parliamentarians' Union.[3]
On 23 November 2020, President Moon Jae-in appointed Kang Chang-il as the new ambassador to Japan.[4][5][6] Press Secretary of Japanese MOFA, Tomoyuki Yoshida, revealed on 3 February 2021 that the South Korean side announcement of the appointment was without agrément, and promptly after the announcement, Chief of protocol Atsushi Kaifu had told to embassy of South Korea in Tokyo that it was extremely regrettable to have deviated customary international law. At the time of 3 February 2021, as Kang had not yet completed procedures to become an ambassador, including Letter of credence, he was still called as "the next ambassador to Japan."[7]
An official of the South Korean presidential office said that the appointment of Kang reflects Moon's willingness to improve bilateral relations following Yoshihide Suga's appointment as Prime Minister.[4] Kang has pledged to make every effort to improve and normalize relations between South Korea and Japan, following deterioration in relations over issues of wartime labor and comfort women. He has relayed Moon's statement that the two governments should prepare solutions to the pending problems through dialogue and that they should cooperate where possible, including on the Tokyo Olympic Games.[8][9]
References
edit- ^ "Ex-lawmaker Kang appointed as new ambassador to Japan". 8 January 2021.
- ^ Kang, Jung-man (14 April 2016). "[20대 총선] 제주, 野 3석 싹쓸이…'정권 심판론' 지지". Newsis. Retrieved 22 May 2019.
- ^ 4선 일본통 강창일, 한·일의원연맹 회장 만장일치 추대. Jeju Sori (제주의소리). 15 June 2017. Retrieved 22 May 2019.
- ^ a b "Ex-lawmaker Kang Chang-il named new South Korean envoy to Japan". The Japan Times. 2020-11-23. Retrieved 2021-01-22.
- ^ "New South Korea envoy vows to improve ties with Japan". The Japan Times. 2021-01-17. Retrieved 2021-01-23.
- ^ 공관장 인사주 일본 대한민국 대사관. Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Retrieved 2021-01-23.
- ^ "吉田外務報道官会見記録（令和3年2月3日）" [Press Secretary Yoshida's press conference (3 February 2021)]. MOFA, Japan. 3 February 2021. Retrieved 5 February 2021.
- ^ "New South Korean ambassador to Japan Kang Chang-il arrives in Tokyo". The Korea Times. 2021-01-22. Retrieved 2021-01-22.
- ^ "New South Korea envoy vows to improve ties with Japan". The Japan Times. 2021-01-17. Retrieved 2021-01-22.