While at first glance it may appear unusual that the current U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines, Sung Kim, is leading talks with North Korea this week, the choice may prove particularly savvy when considering his background.

Ambassador Sung Kim, who was reported in the Washington Post to have traveled to the North Korean side of Panmunjom on Sunday to lead a delegation alongside two other U.S. officials, has a long history of working with both North and South Korea.

Originally born in South Korea in 1960, Kim came to the U.S. in 1973 and became an American citizen in 1980.