S. Korea to recruit senior researchers for diplomatic missions abroad

SEOUL, Nov. 29 (Yonhap) -- South Korea will replenish major diplomatic missions
abroad with doctoral-level researchers or lawyers starting next year to help them
cope with various global issues, the foreign ministry said Sunday.
The ministry said it will recruit 50 "senior researchers" over the next three
years who will conduct research on political affairs, legislation, the economy
and trade and public relations in each country and advise ambassadors. Senior
researchers will be recruited locally from among those who hold doctoral degrees
or a lawyer's certificate, it added.
"Our missions abroad are facing increasingly complicated global issues. In order
to actively deal with them, it is essential that they take their diplomatic
capabilities up a notch by supplying themselves with high-quality human
resources," a foreign ministry official said.
The new posts will first be added to missions in major countries, including the
United States, China, Japan and Russia, and the United Nations, next year, the
official said.
hkim@yna.co.kr
(END)