A Korean foreign service official is to work at the U.S. Department of State for the first time as part of a personnel exchange program between Korea and the U.S.

The South Korean Foreign Ministry said Sunday that Kim Hye-jin, a 29-year-old female diplomat, has been chosen for the stint. Kim currently works at the ministry’s North Korean Nuclear Affairs Bureau.

She will start in August, although the exact date has yet to be finalized, the ministry said.

“I’ve learned the U.S. foreign policy-making procedures in theory, but this opportunity will offer me the chance to observe it for real and will also be a tremendous asset in my diplomatic career,” Kim said.

Seoul and Washington agreed last April on the personnel exchange program as part of efforts to enhance mutual understanding.

Kim entered the Foreign Ministry in 2005 after graduating from the International Relations Department of Seoul National University. She has worked at some of the major divisions of the foreign ministry, including disarmament and non proliferation, protocol office and North Korean nuclear affairs negotiation.

She topped other contestants in the interview, with a good command of English and comprehensive knowledge of foreign affairs, a ministry official said.

Kim has lived all her life in Korea except for two years of studying abroad at Stanford University in the U.S.

The ministry official said: “The chance to work at the State Department is a great opportunity to learn know-how of U.S. foreign affairs and to strengthen networks with U.S. officers.”

“We expect Kim, who has shown her challenging spirit at the Ministry, will also be able to show her abilities in a new working environment.”

U.S. State Department has conducted the foreign service officer exchange program with European countries such as the U.K., Germany and France and Asia-Pacific countries including Japan, Australia and New Zealand.

By Lee Woo-young  (wylee@heraldcorp.com)