Seoul: A former head of a state-affiliated economic policy think tank was appointed as the new South Korean ambassador to Britain, the foreign ministry said Friday.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Kim Heung-chong, the former president of the Korea Institute for International Economic Policy (KIEP), is recognized for his involvement in the Democratic Party's (DP) economic advisory council. This council was relaunched in 2024 by President Lee Jae Myung, who at that time was the leader of the DP.

During President Lee's presidential campaign, Kim played a pivotal role by heading the global economic strategy committee of the campaign team. His expertise has also been utilized in the advisory committee for free trade agreement negotiations between South Korea and the European Union.