Seoul: U.S. Ambassador to South Korea Philip Goldberg will retire and leave Seoul in January, concluding a 35-year career in diplomatic service, a source revealed. Goldberg, who holds the career ambassador rank, the highest in the U.S. foreign service, began his tenure in Seoul in July 2022, following a gap after his predecessor Harry Harris's departure.According to Yonhap News Agency, the ambassador's retirement marks the end of a significant chapter in U.S.-South Korea relations. Goldberg has been pivotal in strengthening the bilateral ties between the two nations and enhancing trilateral relations with Japan. He spent 2 1/2 years in South Korea, working on pressing challenges, including North Korea's nuclear and missile threats.After his departure, Joy Sakurai, the current deputy chief of mission at the U.S. Embassy in Seoul, is expected to assume the role of charge d'affaires. A permanent replacement is anticipated to be announced following President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration on January 20.T hroughout his career, Goldberg has held several significant positions, including ambassador to Colombia, the Philippines, and Bolivia. He also served as the assistant secretary of state for intelligence and research and was the coordinator for the Implementation of U.N. Security Council Resolution 1874 on North Korea from 2009-2010, focusing on sanction enforcement post the North's nuclear test.Goldberg holds a Bachelor of Science degree magna cum laude in journalism from Boston University. His extensive experience and expertise, particularly concerning North Korea, have been instrumental during his tenure in South Korea.
- October 12, 2026
