South Korean Chief of Staff Departs for Qatar as Condolence Envoy

South Korean Presidential Chief of Staff Kang Hoon-sik departed for Qatar on July 14th to offer condolences following the death of former Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani. The Presidential Office announced that President Lee Jae-myung had sent a message of condolence in the former Emir's name.

Kang is scheduled to return on July 16th. The Presidential Office stated that the decision to send a special envoy was made after consulting with Qatar, considering precedents where ministers or lawmakers were dispatched for similar occasions in Gulf nations.

Qatar specifically requested Kang Hoon-sik's presence as the special envoy, leading to his direct visit. This marks Kang's second trip to the region in a high-level capacity this year; he previously visited Qatar and three other Middle Eastern countries in April as a special envoy for strategic economic cooperation amid concerns over oil and naphtha supply disruptions.