Nanumpa si Sung Kim bilang bagong US Ambassador to the Philippines kay Secretary of State John Kerry sa isang seremonya sa State Department nitong Huwebes. Papalitan niya si ambassador Philip Goldberg.

Si Kim, dating chief U.S. envoy para sa North Korea policy, ay uupo sa puwesto sa panahong nasa alanganin ang relasyon ng dalawang bansa.

Inilarawan ni Kerry si Kim na brilliant, kalmado at firm negotiator ngunit mahiyain.

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Isa sa strong points ni Kim, ayon kay Kerry, “is that he goes into difficult meeting after difficult meeting, looking as if he had just gotten out of the lotus position.”

Matapos manumpa ay binati ni Kim ang mga Pilipino na dumalo sa seremonya, sinabi niyang “I am eager to get started”.

“I’m thrilled to have the honor of representing our country in the Philippines, our oldest ally in Asia and one of our most special friends anywhere. The US and the Philippines are and will continue to be close friends, partners and allies,” ani Kim.

Kumpiyansa si Kerry na malalagpasan ng United States ang mga hamon sa relasyon nito sa Pilipinas sa pag-upo ng bagong ambassador, at mananatili ang 70-taong alyansa “notwithstanding a difference here or there about one thing or another.”

“I am confident because in Sung Kim we will have one of our finest diplomats representing us in Manila, a worthy successor to Ambassador Goldberg and a person known both for his talent and his style,” pahayag ni Kerry.

“I am confident about the future of our bilateral relations, notwithstanding a difference here or there about one thing or another,” dugtong niya.

Nakipagpulong si Kerry kay Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte sa Manila noong Hulyo at nitong Huwebes ay sinabing umaasa siya na muling makabisita bago magtapos ang kanyang termino bilang secretary of state. (BELLA GAMOTEA at AP)