WH Pick for South Korea Ambassador Reportedly Won’t Be Nominated Over Disagreement on North Korea

The Trump administration’s pick for South Korea Ambassador will not be going forward in the nomination process due to a disagreement with their North Korea policy.

Per The Washington Post:

Victor D. Cha, an academic who served in the George W. Bush administration, raised his concerns with National Security Council officials over their consideration of a limited strike on the North aimed at sending a message without sparking a wider war — a risky concept known as a “bloody nose” strategy.

Cha also objected to the administration’s threats to tear up a bilateral trade deal with Seoul that Trump has called unfair to American companies. The administration last week imposed new tariffs on imports on washing machines and solar energy panels, a move criticized by the South Korean government.

NBC News subsequently reported that Victor Cha is out of consideration:

JUST IN: Victor Cha is no longer being considered for post of U.S. ambassador to South Korea, U.S. official confirms to @NBCNews

— NBC Politics (@NBCPolitics) January 30, 2018

Reuters is reporting the same, and their report notes how Cha “had been widely expected to be nominated for the sensitive diplomatic post” for several months.

[image via Shutterstock.com]

— —

Follow Josh Feldman on Twitter: @feldmaniac

New: The Mediaite One-Sheet "Newsletter of Newsletters"
Your daily summary and analysis of what the many, many media newsletters are saying and reporting. Subscribe now!