South Korea's former vice Foreign Minister Choi Young-jin has been named the new ambassador to the United States, the foreign ministry here said Thursday.

Choi, who also served as the United Nations' special representative for Ivory Coast, will replace Han Duck-soo, who was recently elected head of the Korea International Trade Association.

With his extensive experience as a career diplomat, Cho will help strengthen the South Korea-U.S. alliance, the ministry said in a press briefing.