President Lee Sends Condolences Over Death of Former Emir of Qatar; Kang Hoon-sik to Be Sent as Special Envoy

[Financial News] President Lee Jae-myung has sent a message of condolence over the death of former Qatari Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani. Kang Hoon-sik, chief of staff to the president, will be dispatched as a special envoy for the funeral at Qatar's request.
The Blue House said in a press notice on the 14th, "The president sent a condolence message regarding the death of the former Emir of Qatar," adding that "Chief of Staff Kang Hoon-sik is scheduled to depart on the evening of the 14th as a special envoy for the funeral."
The Blue House had been discussing the dispatch of a Cabinet member as a funeral envoy with Qatar, following precedent set when ministers or lawmakers visited as condolence envoys after the deaths of kings in the Persian Gulf region.
In particular, Kang's visit to Qatar was decided after the Qatari side specifically requested him as the funeral envoy. Kang is scheduled to leave this evening, carry out the funeral-related schedule, and return on the 16th.
Kang previously visited Qatar in April as a special presidential envoy for strategic economic cooperation. At the time, he discussed energy and economic cooperation measures with major countries in the Persian Gulf region and helped strengthen high-level consultation channels between the two countries through the Qatar visit.
Former Emir Hamad ruled Qatar from 1995 to 2013. He is credited with driving the growth of Qatar's liquefied natural gas (LNG) industry and expanding its influence abroad, helping the country emerge as a major power in the Persian Gulf region.
west@fnnews.com Sung Seok-woo Reporter