CHANCERIESTHE DIPLOMATIC ATLAS

Embassy of the Republic of Korea

Diplomatic history and full roster

Embassy of the Republic of Korea

2450 Massachusetts Ave NW Washington DC 20008

The former Canadian Joint Staff building became the Republic of Korea’s chancery in November 1992. Its limestone frontage faces Massachusetts Avenue in Kalorama.

FactValueBasis and sources
Constructed1955verified; The contemporary Royal Canadian Navy journal Crowsnest, September 1955, vol. 7 no. 11, p. 18 (PDF p. 84), states that the Canadian Services building was completed and occupied on January 10, 1955. This direct completion account supersedes the assessment year 1953 and the earlier architectural-project reporting.
  1. jproc.ca
Acquired by KoreaMay 1990verified Purchased from Canada; occupied by the ROK mission on 20 November 1992.
  1. planning.dc.gov
NeighborhoodKaloramaverified DC assessment neighborhood.
  1. maps2.dcgis.dc.gov
ArchitectMarani & Morrisverified
  1. dalspaceb.library.dal.ca
Rooms65–115 est.estimated; Editorial estimate from the documented 61,666 sq ft floor area. Assume that 55–65% is enclosed, occupied room area, with an average of 350–500 sq ft per room; round the resulting limits outward to the nearest five rooms. Circulation, parking, stairs and open workstations are not counted as rooms. The allocation and room sizes are assumptions, not measurements from a floor plan.
  1. maps2.dcgis.dc.gov
Floor area61,700 sq ftverified; DC CAMA living gross building area
  1. maps2.dcgis.dc.gov
Site area25,900 sq ftverified; Parcel total: 2500/0856. DC ITSPE LANDAREA, recorded square feet. Roads and unrelated neighboring parcels excluded.
  1. maps2.dcgis.dc.gov
2026 Value$56.5Mverified; Parcel total: 2500/0856. Active 2026 DC ITSPE ASSESSMENT; land plus improvements. Not proposed value, tax owed, sale price or leasehold value.
  1. maps2.dcgis.dc.gov
Diplomatic use1955verified; The contemporary Royal Canadian Navy journal Crowsnest, September 1955, vol. 7 no. 11, p. 18 (PDF p. 84), dates completion and Canadian Services occupation to January 10, 1955. Earliest diplomatic use at the property therefore predates Korea’s 1992 occupation. The February 1955 State diplomatic list also places the Canadian offices at 2450 Massachusetts Avenue.
  1. jproc.ca

Complete property record

Korean Ambassador’s Residence

4801 Glenbrook Rd NW Washington DC 20016

Kim Swoo-geun’s residence was completed in 1986. Low wings and timber balconies enclose an open stone courtyard in Spring Valley.

FactValueBasis and sources
Constructed1986verified Architectural project record gives 1986 completion. CAMA average year built is 1980 and is not adopted as the historical construction date.
  1. planning.dc.gov
  2. www.spacea.com
Acquired by KoreaBy 1984 (site)estimated The Ward 3 Heritage Guide dates construction to 1984–1986. This bounds the purpose-built site’s diplomatic use; it does not establish the land transfer date.
  1. planning.dc.gov
NeighborhoodSpring Valleyverified DC assessment neighborhood.
  1. maps2.dcgis.dc.gov
ArchitectKim Swoo-geun (SPACE)verified
  1. planning.dc.gov
  2. www.spacea.com
Rooms18verified; Current DC residential CAMA ROOMS for the identified dwelling; this assessor count is distinct from bedrooms, bathrooms or the number of modeled room studies.
  1. maps2.dcgis.dc.gov
Floor area20,900 sq ftverified; DC CAMA gross building area
  1. maps2.dcgis.dc.gov
Site area98,100 sq ftverified; Parcel total: 1600/0004. DC ITSPE LANDAREA, recorded square feet. Roads and unrelated neighboring parcels excluded.
  1. maps2.dcgis.dc.gov
2026 Value$19.7Mverified; Parcel total: 1600/0004. Active 2026 DC ITSPE ASSESSMENT; land plus improvements. Not proposed value, tax owed, sale price or leasehold value.
  1. maps2.dcgis.dc.gov

Complete property record

Historic Moments

A treaty at Chemulpo

1882-05-22

Korea and the United States conclude a treaty of amity and commerce at Chemulpo. Korea’s first treaty with a Western power leads to diplomatic representatives in Seoul and Washington.

Korea opens a Washington legation

January 1888

Minister Bak and his staff present credentials to Grover Cleveland and establish a legation at Fisher House. The mission moves to Logan Circle in 1889; neither address is the current chancery.

The republic sends an ambassador

1949-03-25

John Myun Chang presents his credentials to Harry Truman, establishing diplomatic relations with the Republic of Korea. Recognition and economic assistance follow the end of American military government in the south.

American forces enter the war

1950-06-27

Harry Truman orders American air and naval forces to support South Korea against invasion. Fighting under United Nations authority, the United States becomes directly committed to the republic’s defense.

An alliance takes written form

1953-10-01

Foreign Minister Pyun Yung-tai and Secretary of State John Foster Dulles sign the Mutual Defense Treaty in Washington, laying the foundation of the postwar alliance.

A new era of trade

2012-03-15

The Korea–United States Free Trade Agreement enters into force, reducing barriers to goods and services and deepening the alliance’s economic foundations.

Chiefs of Mission

DiplomatOfficeRecorded serviceStatus
Lee Joon-hoChargé d’affaires2025Former
Cho Hyun-dongAmbassador2023–2025Former
Cho Tae-yongAmbassador2022–2023Former
Lee Soo-hyuckAmbassador2019–2022Former
Cho Yoon-jeAmbassador2017–2019Former
Ahn Ho-youngAmbassador2013–2017Former
Choi Young-jinAmbassador2012–2013Former
Han Duck-sooAmbassador2009–2012Former
Lee Tae-sikAmbassador2005–2009Former
Hong Seok-hyunAmbassador2005Former
Han Sung-jooAmbassador2003–2005Former
Yang Sung-chulAmbassador2000–2003Former
Lee Hong-kooAmbassador1998–2000Former
Park Kun-wooAmbassador1995–1998Former
Han Seung-sooAmbassador1993–1994Former
Hyun Hong-chooAmbassador1991–1993Former
Park Tong-jinAmbassador1988–1991Former
Kim Kyung-wonAmbassador1985–1988Former
Lew Byong-hionAmbassador1981–1985Former
Oh Jay-heeChargé d’affaires1981Former
Kim Yong-shikAmbassador1977–1981Former
Koo Choong-whayChargé d’affaires1977Former
Hahm Pyong-choonAmbassador1973–1977Former
Kim Dong-joAmbassador1967–1973Former
Kim Hyun-chulAmbassador1964–1967Former
Kim Chung-yulAmbassador1963–1964Former
Chung Il-kwonAmbassador1961–1963Former
Chang Lee-wookAmbassador1960–1961Former
Chung Il-kwonAmbassador1960Former
Yang You-chanAmbassador1951–1960Former
Chang MyonAmbassador1949–1951Former
Chang MyonRepresentative1949Former
Chough Pyung-okRepresentative1948–1949Former
Kim Yun-jeongChargé d’affaires1905Former
Sin Tae-muChargé d’affaires1904Former
Cho Min-huiMinister1901–1904Former
Sin Tae-muChargé d’affaires1900Former
Yi Eui-damChargé d’affaires1900Former
Yi Beom-jinMinister1896–1900Former
Seo Gwang-beomMinister1896Former
Park Yong-gyuChargé d’affaires1895Former
Yi Hyeon-jikChargé d’affaires1895Former
Yi Seung-suMinister1894Former
Yi Seung-suChargé d’affaires1893–1894Former
Yi Chae-yeonChargé d’affaires1890–1893Former
Yi Wan-yongChargé d’affaires1889–1890Former
Yi Ha-youngChargé d’affaires1888–1889Former
Park Jeong-yangMinister1888Former
Min Yeong-ikEnvoy1883Former
Kang Kyung-whaAmbassador2025–PresentCurrent