Kim Heung-kyu (left), newly appointed chancellor of the Korea National Diplomatic Academy, and Kim Tai-yoo, newly appointed vice chair of the Regulatory Rationalization Committee (Cheong Wa Dae) President Lee Jae Myung appointed Kim Heung-kyu, one of South Korea’s leading scholars on China and US-China relations, as chancellor of the Korea National Diplomatic Academy, the presidential office said Friday.Kim is a professor of political science and diplomacy at Ajou University and founder and director of its US-China Policy Institute.“Kim is a leading authority on East Asian diplomacy and security, and a scholar-practitioner who brings deep insight across research, education and policy advising, along with extensive real-world experience,” senior presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung said in a written statement.Cheong Wa Dae expects Kim to draw on his experience as a former professor at the Institute of Foreign Affairs and National Security, the diplomatic academy’s predecessor.“He is expected to elevate the academy to a top-tier research and educational institution for the AI era, while strengthening its strategic research base in support of pragmatic, national interest-oriented diplomacy and the training of future diplomats,” Kang added.Kim is also the founder of the Plaza Project, a nonprofit organization registered with the National Assembly that promotes bipartisan dialogue on South Korea’s security, economy, diplomacy and North Korea policy.In a separate appointment, Lee named Kim Tai-yoo, a professor of engineering at Seoul National University, as vice chair of the Regulatory Rationalization Committee.Kim Tai-yoo, who served as presidential adviser for information, science and technology under President Roh Moo-hyun, is “a leading expert in technology economics and national strategy whose work spans engineering, economics and industrial policy,” according to Kang.“Drawing on his understanding of industry and technology, he is expected to devise broad regulatory reform strategies linked to advanced industries such as AI, semiconductors and robotics amid intensifying technological competition,” Kang said.“With his outstanding leadership across the public and private sectors and interdisciplinary insight, Kim is the right person to spearhead regulatory reform and propel Korea forward as a technology-driven first mover with an unrivaled competitive edge,” she added.The presidential Regulatory Rationalization Committee is a presidential administrative body tasked with reviewing and coordinating the government’s regulatory policies and overseeing regulatory reviews and reforms.Kim Tai-yoo replaces Lee Byung-tae, who resigned earlier this week amid fierce criticism over his response to disciplinary action against high school baseball players who mocked the May 18 Gwangju Democratization Movement.Criticizing the punishment, Lee made a remark widely interpreted as sarcastic that the movement had become “sacrosanct,” prompting Cheong Wa Dae to publicly call for his resignation. He stepped down about two hours later.