The Embassy of South Korea in Berlin

Amb. Sang Beom Lim

Ambassador Sang Beom Lim, a seasoned diplomat representing the Republic of Korea, was born on 17 October 1970. Ambassador Lim has a rich educational background, holding a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations from Seoul National University, completed in August 1994, and a Master of Arts in International Politics from Syracuse University, NY, USA, attained in May 2002.

His diplomatic career began in April 1994 after passing the High Diplomatic Service Examination. Subsequently, he joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) in May 1994. Over the years, Ambassador Lim has held several significant positions, reflecting his versatile expertise in various areas of international relations. In December 2003 and December 2005, he served as the First Secretary at the Korean Embassies in the Republic of Lebanon and the Republic of Austria, respectively, and at the Korean Permanent Mission to the International Organizations in Vienna.

Ambassador Lim's tenure includes roles integral to national security and foreign policy. He worked as an Assistant Secretary to the Senior Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Security in the Office of the President in October 2008 and as Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade in October 2010. In January 2011, he became the Disarmament and Nonproliferation Division Director at the International Organizations Bureau, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MOFAT).

He continued to ascend in his career, taking on the role of Counsellor at the Korean Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York, USA, in November 2012, and Minister at the Korean Mission to ASEAN in Jakarta, Republic of Indonesia, in July 2015. By January 2018, he was appointed the Director-General for Nonproliferation and Nuclear Affairs at MOFA. His expertise in multilateral diplomacy was further recognized when he was appointed Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative at the Korean Permanent Mission to the United Nations Office and Other International Organizations in Geneva, Switzerland, in July 2020.

In June 2022, Ambassador Lim was appointed Secretary to the President for National Security Strategy, showcasing his pivotal role in shaping Korea's national security policies. As of January 2024, he serves as the Ambassador of the Korean Embassy to the Republic of Germany, further strengthening the diplomatic ties between the two nations.

For his outstanding service, Ambassador Lim was awarded the Service Merit Medal in December 2012, a testament to his dedication and contribution to his country's diplomatic missions.

Married with one daughter.

Germany and South Korea began their official diplomatic relations in 1883 and ever since these two countries have worked closely together. Based on special shared experiences they have strong relations in many fields like that of politics, economy, society and culture have been increasing intensively.

In 2015, bilateral relations centred on the 25th anniversary of German Unity as well as on commemorations marking 70 years of Korean partition.

Cultural exchange between South Korea and Germany is intensive and wide-ranging. Germany and its culture – especially classical music and literature – are held in high regard in South Korea.