Flags flutter as preparations are underway for the upcoming presidential inauguration for U.S. President-elect Donald Trump at the U.S. Capitol building in Washington, U.S., Jan. 4. Reuters-Yonhap
South Korea's ambassador to the United States is expected to attend U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration ceremony this month as the government's representative, diplomatic sources said Wednesday.
Preparations are currently being made for Cho Hyun-dong, South Korea's top envoy in Washington, to represent the government at the ceremony for the incoming U.S. president on Jan. 20, according to the sources.
If confirmed, Cho's attendance would follow established convention.
South Korea has sent its top envoys in Washington as government representatives to the past three U.S. presidential inaugurations, such as Ambassador Lee Soo-hyuck to President Joe Biden's inauguration in 2021.
Meanwhile, the government is unlikely to send a special delegation to the U.S. as it had hoped before Trump's inauguration, considering the recent political turmoil in South Korea stemming from President Yoon Suk Yeol's short-lived imposition of martial law last month.
Separately in the private sector, Chung Yong-jin, chairman of South Korean retail conglomerate Shinsegae Group, and other business leaders plan to attend Trump's inauguration ceremony later this month. (Yonhap)
