공로명: Former Foreign Minister’s Resignation Draws US Discontent – January 31, 2026

Former South Korean Foreign Minister Kong Ro-myung Dies

Kong Ro-myung, a former South Korean foreign minister, has died, according to reports from multiple Korean news outlets including The Chosun Ilbo, v.daum.net, segye.com, The Kyunghyang Shinmun and The Hankook Ilbo. He was known as an architect of South Korea’s “Northern Diplomacy.”

The timing of Kong’s death has drawn a response from the United States, with reports indicating American officials have expressed dissatisfaction. The Chosun Ilbo reported that the U.S. Expressed its discontent following Kong’s resignation. v.daum.net noted the U.S. Expressed both regret and dissatisfaction with his departure.

Kong Ro-myung served as foreign minister and was a key figure in shaping South Korea’s foreign policy, particularly regarding relations with North Korea. He was described as the “designer of Northern Diplomacy” by The Hankook Ilbo.

News of Kong’s passing comes shortly after the deaths of two other prominent leaders, as noted in a segye.com report titled “[성백유의스포츠속이야기] Two Leaders’ Deaths and the Memories of Pyeongchang.” The report does not elaborate on the connection between these events and Kong’s death, but notes the recent passing of significant figures.

Details surrounding the circumstances of Kong’s death were not immediately available in the provided sources. However, his legacy as a key architect of South Korea’s diplomatic approach to the North is widely acknowledged.