# Embassy of South Korea, Bangkok

Embassy of South Korea, Bangkok (Korean: 주 태국 대한민국 대사관; Thai: สถานเอกอัครราชทูตสาธารณรัฐเกาหลีประจำประเทศไทย), a diplomatic mission of the Republic of Korea to the Kingdom of Thailand, is located at No.23 Thiam Ruam Mit Road, Ratchadapisek, Huai Khwang District, Bangkok. The mission was opened as a Legation following the establishment of diplomatic relations between South Korea and Thailand in 1958. After promoted to the status of Embassy in 1960, it changed its location a few times and moved into the current address in 1990. The Korean Embassy, led by an Ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary, is divided into several sections tasked with different affairs like politic, economic, culture and defence diplomacy.

## History

The formal Korean-Thai relations was established on 1 October 1958, and the two countries issued a joint statement to exchange diplomatic missions on the same day. It was announced on 20 January 1959 that Choe Deok-sin, then Ambassador to Saigon, South Vietnam, would concurrently accredited to Thailand as an Envoy in order to head the new Korean Legation in Bangkok, which was promoted to full status of Embassy on 30 August 1960, with Yu Jae-hung being South Korea's first Ambassador stationed in Thailand. The Embassy was located on 349, Silon Road right after its opening, later it operated on several locations including No. 181, South Sathorn Road and 6th floor, Prapawit Building, No. 28/1 Surasak Road. In 1990, the Embassy finally moved into the new compound on Thiam Ruam Mit Road, within which the structures were built with Korean-style, and the main building was designed by architect Kim Joong-up.

## Offices & Sections

The South Korean Embassy in Bangkok has subordinate units including the Political Section (정무과), Economic Section (경제과), Consular Section (영사과), Culture and Public Information Section (문화홍보과), General Affairs Section (총무과) and a Defense Attaché Office (무관부). The Political and Economic Sections are responsible to conduct political/economic-related diplomatic negotiations and cooperation with the Thai government, investigating/reporting situations about Thai politics/economy and foreign policies. They also work together with political/economic-related international organizations or investigate/report activities concerning these kinds of organization.
The responsibility of the Consular Section includes the protection for South Koreans abroad, and deals with passport, conscription, consular confirmation, civil affairs and visa services. The Culture and Public Information Section carries out introductions for Korean culture in Thailand, promotion of national image, and the interchange of public opinion between the two countries. The General Affairs Section, acting as the managing department for the Embassy's operation, is in charge of administrative affairs including personnel, budget, paperwork, security and compound managements. Defense Attaché Office enhances the Korean-Thai defence diplomacy, military exchange and cooperation.

## Heads of mission

Heads of the South Korean mission to Thailand :
| Names | Names in Hangul/Hanja | Tenure started | Ref |
| Envoys ||||
| Choe Deok-sin | 최덕신(崔德新) | 20 January 1959 | concurrently served as Ambassador to South Vietnam |
| Ambassadors ||||
| Yu Jae-hung | 유재흥(劉載興) | 30 August 1960 | Embassy opened on the same day |
| Lee Dong-won | 이동원(李東元) | 26 December 1963 | |
| Chang Sung-hwan | 장성환(張盛煥) | 21 October 1964 | |
| Han Pyo-wook | 한표욱(韓豹頊) | 18 March 1968 | |
| Lim Yun-yong | 임윤영(林胤英) | 10 March 1971 | |
| Cheon Byung-kyu | 천병규(千炳圭) | 27 April 1974 | |
| Park Geun | 박근(朴槿) | 2 August 1976 | |
| Kim In-kwon | 김인권(金寅權) | 20 September 1979 | |
| Kwon Tae-ung | 권태웅(權泰雄) | 9 February 1981 | |
| Kim Chwa-su | 김좌수(金左洙) | 8 January 1985 | |
| Chung Choo-nyun | 정주년(鄭炷年) | 28 February 1989 | |
| Han Tak-chae | 한탁채(韓鐸埰) | 1 September 1992 | |
| Chung Tae-dong | 정태동(鄭泰東) | 14 March 1994 | |
| Kim Nai-sung | 김내성(金乃誠) | 16 March 1997 | |
| Kim Kook-chin | 김국진(金國振) | 12 March 1999 | |
| Choi Hyuk | 최혁(崔革) | 5 March 2002 | |
| Yoon Jee-jun | 윤지준(尹志峻) | 17 January 2004 | |
| Han Tae-kyu | 한태규(韓泰奎) | 30 March 2006 | |
| Chung Hae-moon | 정해문(鄭海文) | 8 October 2008 | |
| Lim Jae-hong | 임재홍(林栽弘) | 30 September 2011 | |
| Jeon Jae-man | 전재만(全在萬) | 8 October 2012 | |
| Noh Kwang-il | 노광일(魯光鎰) | 5 November 2015 | |
| Lee Wook-heon | 이욱현(李郁憲) | 22 November 2018 | |