Korea - Appointment of Head of the U.S. Delegation to the Six-Party Talks

Secretary Rice today appointed our Ambassador to Korea, Christopher Hill, to serve concurrently as the head of the U.S. Six-Party Talks delegation.

Ambassador Hill is a career foreign service officer and a veteran negotiator.

Ambassador Hill will remain in Seoul but plans at an early opportunity to meet with his counterparts. He will lead the interagency delegation to the next plenary session of the talks, which we believe should occur at an early date and without preconditions.

Ambassador Hill’s appointment underscores U.S. support for the Six-Party Talks and the goal of a diplomatic solution ending North Korea’s nuclear weapons programs.

Special Envoy Joseph DeTrani will continue to be responsible for the day-to-day oversight of the Six-Party Talks issues.
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