Seoul: President Lee Jae Myung on Sunday appointed special envoys to the European Union (EU), France, Britain, and India, the presidential office announced, as part of broader diplomatic outreach efforts.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Lee appointed former Environment Minister Yoon Yeo-joon, a renowned strategist from the conservative camp, as the chief of a delegation to the EU, which will depart for Europe on Monday. Yoon's delegation plans to visit the EU headquarters in Belgium to meet with key figures of the EU Council. The mission aims to strengthen the strategic partnership between South Korea and the EU, with a focus on expanding cooperation in areas such as climate change and the latest science and technology advancements.

Former Justice Minister Kang Gum-sil will head to France on Tuesday as a special envoy. Her team will express South Korea's interest in expanding cooperation in artificial intelligence and the defense industry. This visit coincides with the celebration of the 140th anniversary of diplomatic ties between South Korea and France.

Rep. Choo Mi-ae of the ruling Democratic Party (DP) will lead a delegation to Britain, and former Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum has been appointed as a special envoy for India. Both delegations are scheduled to leave South Korea on Wednesday. Choo's delegation is set to engage with British government and parliament officials, emphasizing bilateral cooperation in defense and climate change. Meanwhile, Kim's team will discuss bilateral cooperation in defense and explore opportunities for cultural and human resources exchanges.

Kim Chong-in, a former interim leader of the main opposition People Power Party, is reportedly being considered for the role of Lee's special envoy to the United States. Former Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun is seen as the leading candidate for the special envoy to Japan, while former National Assembly Speaker Park Byeong-seug is likely to be named for China. Another ex-parliamentary speaker, Kim Jin-pyo, is reportedly a candidate for special envoy to Australia, and DP Rep. Park Jie-won is under consideration for Poland.

The presidential office has been in discussions with 14 countries regarding the dispatch of special envoys, as noted by Woo Sang-ho, presidential secretary for political affairs, last week.