By Kim Bo-eun
President Moon Jae-in's former secretary for economic affairs, An Il-whan, has been tapped as Korea's ambassador to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).
An, 61, joined the public service in 1989 and was with the Ministry of Economy and Finance for most of his career. He served as vice finance minister before being named presidential secretary in March 2021. An also worked at the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development. The official obtained a bachelor's degree in trade and a master's degree in public administration from Seoul National University and a master's degree in economics from the University of Ottawa.
An served his last position as presidential secretary through November. Cheong Wa Dae stated at the time that he resigned for health-related reasons. The official, however, has been appointed as the new OECD ambassador post two months after his resignation from Cheong Wa Dae. The foreign ministry stated that An has "recovered considerably" since his resignation. An will be based in Paris, where the OECD is headquartered.
The appointment was part of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' springtime reshuffle for overseas ambassador positions. This usually takes place in the months of March or April, but was conducted in January this year.
The government has come under criticism for appointing An to his position for unclear reasons after he resigned from his previous post following the urea water crisis. An was head of a task force to deal with the supply crunch stemming from China.
It is considered unusual for the incumbent administration to appoint an official that will serve a term under a new administration. Korea will have its presidential election in March. Ambassadors usually serve a three-year term.
 |
| An Il-whan / Korea Times file |
An, 61, joined the public service in 1989 and was with the Ministry of Economy and Finance for most of his career. He served as vice finance minister before being named presidential secretary in March 2021. An also worked at the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development. The official obtained a bachelor's degree in trade and a master's degree in public administration from Seoul National University and a master's degree in economics from the University of Ottawa.
An served his last position as presidential secretary through November. Cheong Wa Dae stated at the time that he resigned for health-related reasons. The official, however, has been appointed as the new OECD ambassador post two months after his resignation from Cheong Wa Dae. The foreign ministry stated that An has "recovered considerably" since his resignation. An will be based in Paris, where the OECD is headquartered.
The appointment was part of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' springtime reshuffle for overseas ambassador positions. This usually takes place in the months of March or April, but was conducted in January this year.
The government has come under criticism for appointing An to his position for unclear reasons after he resigned from his previous post following the urea water crisis. An was head of a task force to deal with the supply crunch stemming from China.
It is considered unusual for the incumbent administration to appoint an official that will serve a term under a new administration. Korea will have its presidential election in March. Ambassadors usually serve a three-year term.
![[PHOTOS] Harvest season arrives](https://img.koreatimes.co.kr/upload/newsV2/images/harvesr_0002_0e73d9d71cde7.JPG/dims/resize/178/optimize)
![[EXCLUSIVE] Lawmakers to submit resolution urging China to free N. Korean escapees](https://img.koreatimes.co.kr/upload/thumbnailV2/c26dcfe337d74c319d1b2ae87f08fcd5.jpg/dims/resize/178/optimize)
![[INTERVIEW] ONEUS returns as 'mermaid prince'](https://img.koreatimes.co.kr/upload/thumbnailV2/8cc3b8d992cd4b8bb43395b014670ca2.jpg/dims/resize/178/optimize)
![[INTERVIEW] Yim Si-wan went extra mile to portray legendary athlete in 'Road to Boston'](https://img.koreatimes.co.kr/upload/thumbnailV2/fdd49ca391cf4ce785bd7136efd0bfa2.jpg/dims/resize/178/optimize)
