SEOUL: A United Nations veteran was on Sunday appointed as South Korea’s first female foreign minister, tasked with easing tensions over North Korea’s nuclear ambitions. Her appointment by President Moon Jae-In comes less than two weeks before Moon’s first trip to the US for a summit with President Donald Trump as fears grow over Pyongyang’s weapons program. The isolated regime has staged a series of missile launches this year, defying global pressure and triggering tightened UN sanctions. Her diplomatic experience will help the South navigate tricky waters and tackle sensitive issues with allies and neighbors, Moon’s office said earlier. Ties with the US have also come under some strain recently over the controversial deployment of a US anti-missile system in the South.

Source: Manila Times June 18, 2017 11:15 UTC