Former U.S. Ambassador to South Korea Sung Kim has been appointed acting assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific affairs.

The Korean American diplomat was appointed to the post as of Wednesday, according to the State Department website.

It was not clear whether he would be formally nominated to become the assistant secretary for East Asian and Pacific affairs, which requires Senate approval, or if he is temporarily filling the post vacated by David Stilwell, who was appointed by former President Donald Trump.

Resignations from all political appointees of the former president became effective as of noon Wednesday, when Joe Biden was sworn in as president.

Daniel Smith, director of the Foreign Service Institute, was appointed acting secretary of state, replacing Mike Pompeo.

Smith is set to serve only until Biden's nominee for secretary of state, Antony Blinken, is confirmed by the Senate.

Blinken's confirmation hearing was held Wednesday.

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