New york: South Korea's new ambassador to the United Nations is scheduled to present his credentials to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres this week, marking the beginning of his official duties. This announcement comes as South Korea holds the presidency of the UN Security Council (UNSC) for the month, according to Seoul's UN mission.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Ambassador Cha Ji-hoon, the first chief envoy to the UN under President Lee Jae Myung's administration, is expected to meet with the UN chief of protocol on Thursday afternoon before presenting his credentials to Guterres the following day. Cha's appointment coincides with South Korea's tenure as the rotating president of the UNSC, a period during which significant global events such as the UN General Assembly High-Level Week will take place.

The upcoming week will see South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, alongside U.S. President Donald Trump and other world leaders, attending the high-level sessions. Ambassador Cha will accompany President Lee, who is set to deliver a keynote address at the General Assembly on Tuesday and lead an open UNSC debate on artificial intelligence on Wednesday.

Ahead of Cha's arrival in New York, discussions have emerged regarding his lack of diplomatic experience. This comes at a crucial time for South Korea, which is addressing complex foreign policy challenges, including strengthening its alliance with the United States and maintaining stable relations with Japan and China.

Cha Ji-hoon shares a long-standing connection with President Lee Jae Myung, as both passed the state bar exam in 1986 and participated in post-exam training programs together. Cha also played a significant role as part of Lee's defense team during the 2020 trial when Lee, then governor of Gyeonggi Province, faced charges of election law violations. The Supreme Court later overturned the lower court's guilty verdict and ordered a retrial.