Choe Son-hui

Choe Son-hui (Korean: 최선희; born 10 August 1964) is a North Korean politician and diplomat who has been the country's Minister of Foreign Affairs since 11 June 2022. Previously the First Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, she is the first woman to hold the position and is one of few North Korean women holding a high-level office. In December 2024, she became a member of the Politburo of the Workers' Party of Korea. Choe is fluent in English and interpreted at the six-party talks and Washington-Pyongyang dialogue early in her career. Choe has worked in the foreign ministry as a section chief and deputy director. Since 2016, she has served as the deputy director-general of the North American department. In 2018, she was appointed as a regular vice minister with a North American portfolio. The following year, she became the first vice minister. Choe is reportedly a regular participant in track 1.5 and track 2 diplomacy and has experience in the area of North Korea–United States relations and nuclear issues. A statement by Choe released before the 2018 North Korea–United States Singapore Summit between Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un led to President Trump temporarily cancelling the meeting. Choe had referred to US Vice President Mike Pence as a "political dummy", angering Trump. Regardless, Choe was a participant in the summit when it took place on 12 June. At the 2019 North Korea–United States Hanoi Summit, Choe made a last-minute attempt to reach an agreement with her American counterparts, but failed to reach a deal.