Sung Kim

On June 24, 2011, President Obama nominated Kim to be the U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Korea.[9] However, Kim's nomination stalled after U.S. Senator Jon Kyl placed a hold[10] on Kim's nomination over concerns not with Kim but with U.S. policy toward North Korea. On October 13, 2011 Kyl lifted his hold on Kim's nomination and the Senate confirmed Kim by unanimous consent.[11][12]

Kim completed his assignment to South Korea in late October 2014 and returned to the United States, where he was expected to continue to work on diplomacy involving East Asia. Mark Lippert was sworn in to succeed Kim as ambassador on October 24, 2014, in Washington, D.C.

In May 2014, near the end of his tenure, Kim was honored by the Asia Society for his service in Korea. Jonathan Karp, executive director of Asia Society, said Kim has done a lot to advance relations between the U.S. and Korea as a representative of the Obama administration.[13] He was also named an honorary citizen of Seoul by Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon who said to Kim "Time flies so quickly. I must say I'm sad you have to return to your country... Even after you leave Korea for your next post, I ask of you that, as an honorary citizen of Seoul, you continue to have special interests in and affection for the city of Seoul and for Korea." In response, Kim said "It is after all my city of birth and the place I have always considered to be my second home."[14]

Kim (right) speaks with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in 2018 at the Singapore Summit.

On May 19, 2016, U.S. President Obama nominated Kim to replace Philip Goldberg as the U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines.[15] He was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on September 28, 2016 and was sworn in by Secretary of State John Kerry at the Department of State on Thursday, November 3, 2016.[16] Kim arrived in Manila on December 3, a month after he was sworn in,[17] and presented his credentials to Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on December 6.[18]

Kim, while Ambassador to the Philippines, led a delegation of American diplomats to hold talks with North Korean officials in Panmunjom in late May 2018. These talks were in regards to the upcoming summit between President Donald Trump and Kim Jong-un. [19]

On July 10, 2019 the White House announced that he will be appointed to be Ambassador to Indonesia.[20] On August 6, 2020, his nomination was confirmed by voice vote.[4] He was appointed on August 31, 2020[1] and assumed office in October 2020.[21]

•  Philippines:
  • Grand Cross (Datu) of the Order of Sikatuna (GrCS) (08 September 2020)