Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Awards
Timeline
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Marc E. Knapper

Marc E. Knapper

Summary

Highly accomplished career diplomat with over 30 years of experience in U.S.-Korea relations and East Asian affairs, including ten years in Seoul, uniquely positioned to lead The Korea Society into a thriving next era. A dynamic, big-picture leader with superior cross-cultural competency and geopolitical savvy, Ambassador Marc Knapper brings unparalleled leadership and management experience in foreign policy, business, and the U.S.-Korea relationship. Possesses exceptional communication, fundraising, and strategic leadership skills to grow financial resources, expand audience participation, and elevate further The Korea Society’s profile as the premier convener and resource for insights, access, and community on U.S.-Korea issues.

Overview

10
10
years of professional experience

Work History

United States Ambassador to Vietnam
01.2022 - Current
  • Leads the U.S. Mission to Vietnam, comprising Embassy Hanoi and Consulate General Ho Chi Minh City, with 1,200 employees, a $330 million budget, and 43 offices and agencies.
  • Through vision and entrepreneurial leadership, upgraded the U.S.-Vietnam relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, a historic achievement, while garnering 92% approval rating for the United States among Vietnamese.
  • As the President’s representative in Vietnam, engages high-level government officials, business leaders, and media to advance U.S. interests and build strong bilateral ties.
  • Drove successful energy, aviation, and semiconductor negotiations that attracted significant investments benefiting U.S. businesses, demonstrating ability to cultivate revenue-generating partnerships and manage complex financial considerations.

Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Korea and Japan
01.2018 - 01.2021
  • Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Korea and Japan responsible for U.S. alliances relationships with the Republic of Korea and Japan.
  • Provided senior leadership and expert guidance on U.S. foreign policy towards Korea and Japan, serving as a key thought leader on the strength and strategic importance of the U.S.-Korea Alliance, including during sensitive defense cost-sharing negotiations.
  • Managed complex interagency and diplomatic, economic, and security cooperation between and among the United States, ROK, and Japan, a task made all the more challenging by the global pandemic.

Chargé d’Affaires/Deputy Chief of Mission to the Republic of Korea
01.2015 - 01.2018
  • Following service as Deputy Chief of Mission from 2015 to 2017, became the Acting Ambassador for 18 months during a period of high tension on the Korean Peninsula.
  • Demonstrated comprehensive executive leadership and management of Embassy operations, including full budgetary and administrative responsibility and morale building for a team of 600 Koreans and Americans.
  • Closely engaged with Korean political and business elites, deepening the bilateral relationships and mutual understanding of complex issues.

Education

Bachelor of Arts - Politics, Minor in East Asian Studies

Princeton University
Princeton, NJ

Masters - Strategic Studies

Army War College
Carlisle, PA

Awards

State Department Distinguished Service Award, the nation’s highest diplomatic honor, for service as Chargé d’Affaires in Seoul during multiple crises on the Korean Peninsula., State Department Linguist of the Year Award, for achieving near native fluency in both Korean and Japanese., Presidential Honor Award, for overall outstanding diplomatic service to the nation.

Timeline

United States Ambassador to Vietnam
01.2022 - Current

Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Korea and Japan
01.2018 - 01.2021

Chargé d’Affaires/Deputy Chief of Mission to the Republic of Korea
01.2015 - 01.2018

Masters - Strategic Studies

Army War College

Bachelor of Arts - Politics, Minor in East Asian Studies

Princeton University

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Marc E. Knapper