The ministry said that Chung will be stepping down from his post in China and he is expected to return to Korea next month.
A seasoned diplomat well-versed in Chinese affairs is being mentioned as his successor, as an apparent move to mend ties with Beijing, as Jung has often made some hawkish comments toward Beijing.
The announcement coincides with the departure of the incumbent Chinese Ambassador to Korea Xing Haiming, who will be returning to his country late this month.
Since assuming his post here in January 2020, the outspoken envoy, who is fluent in Korean, had frequently complained about Korea's close alignment with Washington.
These reshuffles seem to signal a potential shift in the strained relations between the two courses. There have already been recent signs of improvement, with the first ministerial-level meeting in over six years held in Seoul in late May.
