Mr. Hong is vice-editor on the overseas Korean news desk at Yonhap News Agency. Previously, he was a Hong Kong correspondent, a reporter for the Chosun Ilbo, and covered foreign affairs, unification, North Korea, and international economics, respectively. As a journalist he interviewed sitting and future leaders such as Xi Jinping in 2000, Li Keqiang, in 2005, and Bo Xilai in 2001. He also interviewed three presidents: Arroyo in the Philippines, Kufuor in Ghana, and Saleh in Yemen. He also taught French at Taejon Christian International School(TCIS). Mr. Hong received a B.A. in French literature from Choong Nam National University and an M.A. in political science from Graduate Institute of Peace Studies at Kyung Hee University. He is the author of China, Taiwan and Pragmatic Diplomacy.