A surprising turn of events recently unfolded in South Korea when President Yoon Suk-yeol’s national security adviser resigned unexpectedly, just a month before the Biden-Yoon bilateral summit.

Due to Kim Sung-han’s resignation, first deputy Kim Tae-hyo has emerged as a key figure in Seoul’s National Security Office. However, he did not assume the top job. Instead, that role went to Cho Tae-yong, previously the South Korean ambassador to the U.S.