Former presidential security official named new KOICA chief

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

Oh began her foreign service career in 1994 and has held various positions in development cooperation and multilateral diplomacy throughout her career. She served as the deputy chief of mission at South Korea's U.N. mission. In January 2023, Oh became South Korea's first female ambassador to the Holy See and was appointed as the third deputy director of the National Security Office in June of the previous year.

The foreign ministry stated that Oh is expected to actively work towards KOICA's goal of becoming a leading global development cooperation agency that promotes universal values and shared national interests. The ministry also highlighted her role in strengthening KOICA's position as an integrated platform for South Korea's grant aid programs. KOICA's president serves a three-year term and is selected through a process not specified in the source.