Sta. Romana named envoy to N. Korea

Philippine Ambassador to China Jose Santiago Sta. Romana. NESTOR CORRALES/INQUIRER.NET FILE PHOTO

The Philippines has officially installed an ambassador to North Korea while joining international pressure on the reclusive nation to halt its nuclear weapons program.

Philippine Ambassador to China Jose Sta. Romana took up his position during his visit to Pyongyang on Oct. 24 to 28.

A veteran journalist based in Beijing, Sta. Romana was appointed Philippine ambassador to China in September last year.

Usually, the ambassador to China is also the nonresident ambassador to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), the official name of North Korea.

Sta. Romana presented his credentials to North Korea’s second highest official, Kim Yong-nam, on Oct. 27.

Kim heads the legislature and reportedly wields vast powers as president of the Presidium of the Supreme People’s Assembly, a position he has held since 1998.

Sta. Romana also met with North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Yong-ho, who attended the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Regional Forum hosted by Manila on Aug. 7.

According to Sta. Romana, Ri was recently promoted to the Politburo of the ruling Workers’ Party of Korea.