Former presidential security official named new KOICA chief

Oh Hyun-joo, a former third deputy director of South Korea's National Security Office, has been appointed as the new head of the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), according to a statement from the foreign ministry on Friday. She is set to officially assume her role on Monday, leading the agency responsible for the government's official development assistance (ODA) programs. The agency operates under the purview of the foreign ministry.

After beginning her career in the foreign service in 1994, Oh has held numerous positions in development cooperation and multilateral diplomacy. These include serving as the deputy chief of mission at South Korea's UN mission. In January 2023, she made history by becoming South Korea's first female ambassador to the Holy See. Prior to her appointment as deputy director of the National Security Office in June of last year, Oh had been instrumental in advancing the agency's goals.

The foreign ministry anticipates that Oh will champion KOICA's mission to become a leading global development cooperation agency, one that upholds universal values and shared national interests. The ministry also expects her to bolster the agency's function as an integrated platform for South Korea's grant aid programs. The president of KOICA serves a term of three years and is chosen by the foreign ministry.