The state department also does not have a confirmed assistant secretary for the East Asian and Pacific Affairs department. Yun, who took up his post in 2016, advocated engagement with North Korea, even when the isolated regime launched sophisticated missiles and conducted underground nuclear tests. Doctors said he had obtained a “severe neurological injury” of unknown cause while in North Korean custody. Yun’s resignation raises further questions over the North Korean policy of US President Donald Trump’s administration. Victor Cha, Trump’s original choice to be US ambassador to South Korea, was dropped as a candidate after it was reported that he had privately expressed disagreement with the administration’s North Korea policy.

Source: Taipei Times February 27, 2018 15:56 UTC