Retired admiral sworn in as US ambassador to S. Korea

WASHINGTON - Retired Admiral Harry Harris was sworn in as the US ambassador to South Korea on Saturday, the White House said.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo congratulated Harris, 61, in a tweet published on Saturday afternoon, saying that "a lot of work ahead" waiting for Harris, including the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.

Harris, who previously served as the commander of US Pacific Command, was confirmed by the Senate on Thursday.

The post of the US ambassador to South Korea was vacant for more than a year after Trump took office in 2017.

It was reported that the White House withdrew its nomination of Victor Cha, a veteran Korea expert, in January because of Cha's opposition to military options against Pyongyang.