공로명 孔魯明
Diplomat who served as Minister of Foreign Affairs (1994-96) and ambassador to Japan, the USSR/Russia and Brazil
| Life | 1932 ~ 2026 |
| Era | 현대 |
| Clan | 곡부 공씨 |
Life & career
Gong Ro-myung (孔魯明, 1932-2026) was a South Korean diplomat born in Myeongcheon, North Hamgyeong. Korean Wikipedia spells his name 'Gong No-myung', but he is generally known as Gong Ro-myung. His seat was Gokbu. After graduating from Kyunggi High School in 1950 he served as an army officer, retired as captain in 1958 and joined the Foreign Ministry. He graduated in law from Seoul National University in 1961, completed the National Defense College administration course in 1963 and a course in international politics at the London School of Economics.
He began overseas service in 1963 as third secretary at the Washington embassy, then served in Tokyo and held posts such as director-general for Asian affairs, consul-general in Cairo and assistant minister for political affairs. Wikipedia says that as assistant minister in 1983 he led the Korean side in negotiations over the landing of a Chinese civil aircraft. He then served as ambassador to Brazil (1983-86), consul-general in New York, ambassador to the USSR (1990) and to Russia (1991-92). He is known to have been active in Moscow around the establishment of Korea-USSR relations, but this site does not assert his specific role.
After heading the Institute of Foreign Affairs and National Security and serving as spokesman for the inter-Korean high-level talks in 1992, and ambassador to Japan in 1993, he was Foreign Minister from 1994 to 1996; Seoul National University notes his contribution to Korea's election as a non-permanent UN Security Council member during his tenure. Afterwards he was a chair professor at Hallym and Dongguk, head of the Korea-Japan Forum and chair of the East Asia Foundation, and published a memoir, Naui oegyo noteu. He received the Hongjo and Cheongjo orders of service merit and died on 25 January 2026; English Wikipedia gives his age as 93, while the cited Korean report says 94.
Army Service and Joining the Ministry
After army service he joined the Foreign Ministry in 1958, graduated in law from Seoul National University and completed the National Defense College course.
Ambassadorial Career
He served as ambassador to Brazil, the USSR/Russia and Japan, and as consul-general in New York and Cairo.
Foreign Minister
He served as the 25th Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1994 to 1996.
After Retirement
He chaired the Korea-Japan Forum and the East Asia Foundation and was chair professor at several universities, and died on 25 January 2026. With Gong Jin-hang he is a diplomatic figure of the Gokbu Gong.
Grave
The location of his grave was not confirmed here.