South Korea’s new consul general Seo Mankyo takes up post in Hong Kong
Seo Mankyo, South Korea’s new consul general in Hong Kong, arrived on 5 October to oversee relations with Hong Kong and Macau. A China specialist with extensive business experience, he aims to strengthen cooperation and support Korean residents and businesses in the region.
South Korea’s newly appointed consul general in Hong Kong, Seo Mankyo, arrived in the city on 5 October and is set to oversee the country’s relations with Hong Kong and Macau, the consulate has announced.
Seo was appointed to the post on 18 September under the administration of President Lee Jae-myung, ending a vacancy of more than a year at the consulate. The consulate described Seo as a China specialist with extensive experience in the country’s business and economic sectors.
He holds a master’s degree in economics from the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and previously served as vice president of POSCO China and vice chairman of the Korean Chamber of Commerce in China. His experience also includes senior roles in South Korea’s Peaceful Unification Advisory Council and research work related to Korean Peninsula affairs at Peking University.
Upon arriving in Hong Kong, Seo recalled his longstanding connection with the city. “Ever since my first visit to Hong Kong as a young man in the early 1990s, when I was captivated by the beauty of Victoria Harbour and its dynamic energy, I have visited Hong Kong more than 60 times, witnessing its historical transformation and growth firsthand,” he said. “I consider it a tremendous honour to be appointed as the Consul General here. I will do my utmost to leverage Hong Kong's unique strengths as a global hub so that Korea and Hong Kong can achieve a win-win outcome.”
Seo said he hoped to further strengthen cooperation between South Korea and Hong Kong, as well as support Korean residents and businesses in Hong Kong and Macau. In a separate message to the Korean community, he said the consulate would work to protect the interests of Korean nationals and serve as a bridge for closer cooperation between South Korea, Hong Kong and Macau.
Seo will formally begin his duties once his exequatur is issued by China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.