National Security Adviser Kim Sung-han resigns

National Security Adviser Kim Sung-han takes part in a Cabinet meeting at the presidential office in Yongsan, central Seoul, Tuesday. He announced his resignation Wednesday afternoon. [YONHAP]

National Security Adviser Kim Sung-han announced that he will step down from his post Wednesday, after various reports speculating that he will soon be replaced.

"A year ago, when I was offered the position by the president, I said that I would return to academia after laying the groundwork for restoring the Korea-U.S. alliance, improving Korea-Japan relations and strengthening Korea-U.S.-Japan security cooperation," said Kim in a statement through the presidential office. "I think those conditions have been met to some extent now."

On Tuesday, the Dong-A Ilbo newspaper first reported Kim could be replaced over a planning issue related to President Yoon Suk Yeol's upcoming state visit to the United States for a summit with U.S. President Joe Biden.

It quoted a source from the presidential office as saying that Yoon has felt the need to revamp his foreign policy and national security in line with the process of coordinating the state visit to the United States, leaving open the option of replacing Kim.

Later Tuesday, the presidential office denied various reports that it was considering replacing Kim amid a series of reshuffles of officials charged with diplomatic and security matters ahead of key overseas trips.

Kim is a longtime friend of Yoon's, having gone to the same elementary school. Kim was a key adviser on foreign and national security affairs since Yoon's campaign days.

Kim previously served as vice foreign and trade minister under the Lee Myung-bak administration. He also served as a professor of international relations at Korea University.

His resignation follows the recent replacement of Lee Moon-hee, presidential foreign affairs secretary, despite him being a key official handling the upcoming U.S. visit.

The presidential office confirmed the news on Monday, saying that Lee had been suffering from a heavy workload over the past year.

On March 10, Kim Il-bum, chief of protocol, another important role when arranging summits and overseas trips, resigned just ahead of Yoon's visit to Japan for a summit with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.

National Security Adviser Kim said that preparations for Yoon's upcoming state visit to the United States "are well underway," so that his new successor can carry out his duties "without a hitch."

"I hope that the controversy caused by me will no longer be a burden on diplomacy and state administration," said Kim.

He said he will continue to wish for the best for the Yoon administration even after he returns to academia.

BY SARAH KIM [kim.sarah@joongang.co.kr]