South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol has appointed Kim Dae-ki, his former chief of staff and trusted confidant, as South Korea’s ambassador to China. The appointment comes at a time when bilateral relations between Seoul and Beijing have cooled, driven by security tensions and economic competition. Yoon’s decision to send Kim — a seasoned bureaucrat with extensive experience in economic policy — signals a calculated move to strengthen ties with China, especially in critical sectors like trade, technology and supply chains.

The appointment occurs as South Korea seeks to balance its security alliance with the U.S. and its economic dependence on China. Kim is expected to leverage his policy expertise to protect South Korea’s interests in the region.