Joe Yun set for post as U.S. envoy to Malaysia

Joseph Yun

WASHINGTON (Yonhap News) ― Joseph Yun, a Korean-American diplomat, plans to begin his work as the new top U.S. envoy in Malaysia in late August or early September, a diplomatic source said Tuesday.

Yun, principal deputy assistant secretary of state handling Southeast Asian affairs, underwent a Senate confirmation hearing last week for his nomination as ambassador to Malaysia.

“He was confirmed by the Senate last week. He is expected to start his work in late August or early September,” the source said.

He is replacing Paul Jones.

Born in South Korea, he joined the U.S. Foreign Service in 1985 and worked in South Korea, Thailand, France, Indonesia and Hong Kong.

As principal deputy assistant secretary, he is known to have played a major role in the recent U.S. diplomacy with Myanmar.

He served as acting assistant secretary for East Asian and Pacific affairs for several months before Daniel Russel assumed the post in July.

From 2009 to 2010, he was director of the Office of Maritime Southeast Asia.