Trump nominates former ambassador to Thailand as Assistant Secretary of State for East Asia

The Trump administration has nominated a former ambassador to Thailand as the next U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for East Asia and the Pacific.

U.S. President Donald Trump announced the nomination of Michael George DeSombre on Tuesday, saying that he will "work incredibly hard" for the country.

DeSombre served as Ambassador to Thailand during Trump's first term, and is currently a partner at Sullivan and Cromwell, a New York law firm, where he leads mergers and acquisitions in Asia, including South Korea.

The Assistant Secretary of State for East Asia and the Pacific oversees diplomatic affairs related to South Korea and other East Asian countries and must be confirmed by the Senate before officially assuming the role.