U.S. Point Man on N.Korea Sanctions Leaves Post

Philip Goldberg, the U.S. State Department coordinator for implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1874 against North Korea, is suddenly being replaced.

A diplomatic source in Washington said Sunday Goldberg has been appointed as assistant secretary of the Bureau of Intelligence and Research at the State Department. Voice of America reported that the White House informed the Senate of Goldberg's new post last month, and a confirmation hearing will take place Thursday.

South Korean and U.S. government officials say Goldberg's replacement reflects his personal wish to move to a new post and there were no political reasons behind the move. Goldberg was appointed at the end of June after Resolution 1874 authorized sanctions against North Korea. He traveled to China, Russia, Southeast Asia and other countries to apply pressure on North Korea and was said to have set up an effective network of international sanctions against the North.

But the appointment comes at a time when the U.S. administration is considering dialogue with North Korea and could have a positive effect on Special Representative for North Korea Policy Stephen Bosworth's visit to the North.