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Chief of Staff Kang Hoon-sik briefs the media on the results of the joint public-private mega-project review meeting held this morning at the Chunchugwan press center in Cheong Wa Dae on July 6. / Photo courtesy of Yonhap News Agency

Presidential Chief of Staff Kang Hoon-sik will visit Qatar on July 14 as a special condolence envoy following the passing of the country's former Emir.

"We have sent a letter of condolence from President Lee Jae-myung regarding the passing of Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the former Emir of Qatar," Cheong Wa Dae announced in a press notice today.

"Chief of Staff Kang will depart for Qatar this evening as a special condolence envoy and is scheduled to return on July 16," the presidential office added.

Cheong Wa Dae explained that it had coordinated the dispatch of the envoy with Qatari authorities, drawing on past precedents where cabinet ministers or lawmakers were sent to represent the government upon the passing of Gulf state monarchs.

The dispatch of Chief of Staff Kang himself was finalized after the Qatari side specifically requested him to serve as the condolence envoy.

In April, Kang had previously visited four Middle Eastern countries, including Qatar, as a special envoy for strategic economic cooperation when concerns mounted over potential disruptions to the supply of Middle Eastern crude oil and naphtha.

                                                                                                      Park Young-hoon