▲ This photo, taken on April 23, 2026, shows Jang Dong-hyeok, the leader of the People Power Party (PPP), speaking during a meeting at the National Assembly in Seoul. (Yonhap)

opposition leader-US visit

PPP leader met aide to senior U.S. diplomat during Washington visit last week: State Dept.

By Song Sang-ho and Lee Yu-mi

WASHINGTON, April 23 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's main opposition leader met a top aide to the U.S. under secretary of state for public diplomacy during his visit to Washington last week, a State Department spokesperson said Thursday, noting the department's commitment to meeting "a range of interlocutors" to promote U.S. interests.

Gavin Wax, the chief of staff to Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy Sarah Rogers, met Jang Dong-hyeok, the leader of the People Power Party (PPP), at the request of Jang's delegation, the spokesperson confirmed. Jang has claimed to have met an "assistant secretary" during the trip.

"At the request of the traveling delegation, ROK PPP Chairman Jang Dong-hyeok and his delegation were introduced to the Chief of Staff to the Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy Gavin Wax," the spokesperson said in response to a question from Yonhap News Agency. ROK is short for South Korea's official name, the Republic of Korea.

"He highlighted our public diplomacy efforts in the America First State Department. The meeting underscored our commitment to meet with a range of interlocutors to effectively advance and represent U.S. interests."

After his trip to the United States, he released a photo showing him in talks with a U.S. official. In the image, only the back of the official was visible, fueling a flurry of speculation about his identity.

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