Woo Yoon-keun
Woo Yoon-keun | |
|---|---|
우윤근 | |
| Ambassador of South Korea to Russia | |
| In office October 2017 – May 2019 | |
| President | Moon Jae-in |
| Preceded by | Park Ro-byug |
| Succeeded by | Lee Sok-soo |
| Secretary General of the National Assembly | |
| In office June 2016 – July 2017 | |
| Member of the National Assembly | |
| In office May 30, 2004 – May 29, 2016 | |
| Constituency | Gwangyang–Gurye |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 24 September 1957 Gwangyang, Jeollanam-do, South Korea |
| Political party | Democratic Party of Korea |
| Education | Chonnam National University (LLB, LLM, PhD) Saint Petersburg State University (MA) |
Woo Yoon-keun (Hangul: 우윤근; born September 24, 1957) is a South Korean politician, lawyer, and diplomat. He served as the South Korean Ambassador to the Russian Federation from 2017 to 2019 and as the Secretary General of the National Assembly from 2016 to 2017. He is a three-term former member of the National Assembly.
Early life and education
Woo was born on September 24, 1957, in Gwangyang, Jeollanam-do. He graduated from Salesio High School and received his bachelor's degree in law from Chonnam National University in 1983.
He passed the 32nd Bar Examination in 1990 and completed his training at the Judicial Research and Training Institute in 1993. He earned a Master of Laws (LL.M.) in 1991 and a Ph.D. in Law in 1999 from Chonnam National University. Additionally, he obtained a master's degree in International Politics from Saint Petersburg State University in Russia in 2006.
Career
Legal career
Before entering politics, Woo practiced as a lawyer specializing in international affairs. His notable positions include:
- Legal Advisor to the Embassy of Russia in Seoul (1997–2003)
- Legal Advisor to the Embassy of Germany in Seoul (1998–2003)
- Legal Advisor to the Embassy of China in Seoul (2002–2008)
- Representative Attorney at Euro-Law Firm (2000–2004)
Political career
Woo entered politics in 2004. He was elected to the National Assembly in the 2004 legislative election, representing the Gwangyang-si and Gurye-gun constituency. He was re-elected in 2008 and 2012, serving three consecutive terms.
During his legislative tenure, he held several key leadership roles, including:
- Ranking Member, Legislation and Judiciary Committee (2008–2010)
- Chairman, Legislation and Judiciary Committee (2010–2012)
- Floor Leader, New Politics Alliance for Democracy (2014–2015)
Secretary General of the National Assembly
In June 2016, Woo was appointed as the Secretary General of the National Assembly. During his term, he was noted for converting the employment status of National Assembly cleaning staff from contract workers to direct regular employees. In January 2017, he garnered public attention by bowing deeply to the cleaning staff to apologize for their past poor treatment and congratulate them on their regularization.[1]
Diplomatic career
On September 5, 2017, President Moon Jae-in nominated Woo as the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to the Russian Federation. The Blue House cited his extensive experience as a "Russia expert," noting his academic background in Russia and his history as a legal advisor to the Russian Embassy.
He presented his credentials on October 25, 2017.[2] During his tenure, he focused on expanding economic cooperation in energy and resources. In December 2020, after leaving office, he was dispatched to Russia as a Special Envoy of the President to discuss bilateral cooperation.[3]
Later career
Since leaving public office, Woo has remained active in academia and the legal sector. He has served as a Chair Professor at Dankook University, an advisor at the law firm Lee & Ko, and Chairman of the Overseas Korean Research Institute.
References
- ↑ "우윤근 국회사무총장, 국회 청소근로자에 큰절" (in 한국어). Newsis. 2017-01-02.
- ↑ "President Moon Awards Letters of Credence to New Ambassadors to China and Russia". Office of the President. 2017-10-25.
- ↑ "Moon sends special envoy to Russia to discuss N. Korea, COVID-19 cooperation". The Hankyoreh. 2020-12-11.
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