KUALA LUMPUR: United States Ambassador-designate to Malaysia Joseph Y. Yun has arrived and is down to some very serious business – preparing for President Barack Obama’s much-anticipated visit here.
Describing it as an exciting time for him to begin his latest diplomatic adventure, the Korean-American career diplomat says he is looking forward to the great challenge.
“The last time the President of the US visited Malaysia was about 46 years ago, so this is a historic visit,” he told reporters in his maiden press briefing at the US Embassy here.
Yun was nominated to be the US Ambassador to Malaysia by Obama on July 23, 2013 and was confirmed by the full Senate on Aug 1.
He was most recently the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs as well as Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs.
Yun’s overseas postings include that to South Korea, Thailand, France, Indonesia and Hong Kong.
President Obama will be visiting Malaysia for the Fourth Global Entrepreneurs Summit on Oct 11.
Married to Dr Melanie Billings-Yun who was also present at the press meet, Yun said the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPPA) Agreement would be another focus for him here.
He said the TPPA would help create job opportunities and enhance the economic well-being of Malaysia.
The TPPA involves 12 partners, and according to a study it is said that Vietnam and Malaysia are two of the nations which will benefit the most from it.
“We are looking to achieve a high standard agreement where the TPPA will be the blueprint for trade and investment,” he added.
Yun said Malaysia was geographically potent and a diplomatic entity to the United States as it played a huge role in Asean and United Nation’s peace-keeping missions.
“Malaysia, just like the US, has a multiracial, multiethnic society and I hope we will be able to maintain a strong relationship while working for the betterment of both nations,” he added.
Yun, who has a son, holds degrees from both the London School of Economics and University of Wales.
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