A commemorative bronze plaque designating "Korea's First Embassy Building" has been installed at the consular office of the Korean Embassy in Washington DC.
The Korea Heritage Service announced that Administrator Huh Min, together with Korean Ambassador to the United States Kang Kyung-wha, affixed the plaque reading "Republic of Korea's First Embassy" to the embassy building on the morning of January 9 (local time) in Washington DC.
The building is a historic site where the Korean government established the world's first "Republic of Korea Embassy" in 1949. Following the establishment of the government, it served as the location where Korea's diplomatic foundation was laid through U.S. recognition of the Korean government and membership in various international organizations. It is also a historic site of national salvation diplomacy that contributed significantly to securing UN forces' participation during the Korean War in 1950.
The building served as the office space for Korean ambassadors to the United States from the first Ambassador Chang Myon (served 1949-1951) through the eighth Ambassador Kim Dong-jo (served 1967-1973). It remains the longest-serving diplomatic mission among all Korean diplomatic offices abroad.
This marks the third time the Korea Heritage Service has installed a commemorative plaque on overseas cultural heritage sites, following the Korean Empire Legation in Washington DC (2021) and the Korean Empire Legation in London (2023).
"The unveiling of this commemorative plaque will provide an opportunity to impress upon visitors from around the world the historical significance and identity of the Korean Embassy consular building," the Korea Heritage Service stated.
