New U.S. ambassador set to take office

By Lee Chi-dong
SEOUL, Sept. 22 (Yonhap) -- New U.S. ambassador to South Korea Kathleen Stephens will arrive in Seoul on Tuesday to formally start work, her office said.

"Ambassador Stephens is scheduled to issue a brief introductory statement upon
arriving at the Incheon International Airport on Tuesday afternoon," an official
at the U.S. Embassy said.
She replaces Alexander Vershbow who served as Washington's top envoy in Seoul for
three years. Vershbow flew back to the U.S. last week.
Stephens is known for her close personal ties to South Korea. She taught English
in a rural town of southern South Korea for three years from 1975 as a Peace
Corps volunteer. After joining the U.S. foreign service in 1978, she worked as
principal officer at the consulate in Busan in 1987-1989 and as internal
political unit chief in 1984-1987 at the embassy in Seoul. She has the Korean
name "Shim Eun-kyoung."
lcd@yna.co.kr
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