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Stephen W. Bosworth
Stephen W. Bosworth. U.S. State Department official photograph
United States Special Representative for North Korea
In office
February 20, 2009 – October 26, 2011
President Barack Obama
Preceded by Office established
Succeeded by Glyn T. Davies
United States Ambassador to South Korea
In office
December 15, 1997 – February 10, 2001
President Bill Clinton
George W. Bush
Preceded by James T. Laney
Succeeded by Thomas C. Hubbard
United States Ambassador to the Philippines
In office
May 4, 1984 – April 2, 1987
President Ronald Reagan
Preceded by Michael Armacost
Succeeded by Nicholas Platt
13th Director of Policy Planning
In office
January 3, 1983 – April 7, 1984
President Ronald Reagan
Preceded by Paul Wolfowitz
Succeeded by Peter Rodman
United States Ambassador to Tunisia
In office
March 27, 1979 – June 22, 1981
President Jimmy Carter
Ronald Reagan
Preceded by Edward W. Mulcahy
Succeeded by Walter L. Cutler
Personal details
Born
Stephen Warren Bosworth

(1939-12-04)December 4, 1939
Grand Rapids, Michigan, US
Died January 4, 2016(2016-01-04) (aged 76)
Boston, Massachusetts, US
Citizenship American
Spouses Sandra De Puit (divorced)
Christine Holmes
(m. 1984)
Children 4
Alma mater Dartmouth College
Occupation Academic, diplomat
Awards Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star (Japan, 2005)

Stephen Warren Bosworth (December 4, 1939 – January 4, 2016) was an important American diplomat and teacher. He worked for the United States government in many key roles, helping to build relationships with other countries. He was known for being a United States Special Representative for North Korea Policy, which meant he focused on solving problems with North Korea.

He also served as a U.S. Ambassador three times. He was the ambassador to Tunisia, the Philippines, and South Korea. In 1987, he won an award for being the Diplomat of the Year.

Early Life and Learning

Stephen Bosworth was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1939. He went to Dartmouth College, where he studied international relations. This field of study is about how countries interact with each other. He earned his first degree in 1961 and later received an honorary degree from Dartmouth in 1986.

He also studied at George Washington University. Stephen had two brothers, Brian and Barry.

A Career in Diplomacy

Stephen Bosworth had a long and successful career working for the U.S. government. He was a diplomat, which is someone who represents their country in other nations. Diplomats work to keep peace and good relationships between countries.

Before 1984, he worked in several cities around the world. These included Paris, Madrid, and Panama City. He also worked in Washington, D.C., where he helped plan U.S. foreign policy.

Serving as an Ambassador

Stephen Bosworth served as an ambassador to three different countries. An ambassador is the highest-ranking diplomat representing their country in another.

  • From 1979 to 1981, he was the U.S. Ambassador to Tunisia.
  • From 1984 to 1987, he was the U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines.
  • From 1997 to 2001, he was the U.S. Ambassador to South Korea.
Stephen W. Bosworth with Ferdinand & Imelda Marcos in Leyte 1984-10-20
Ambassador Bosworth (left) with Ferdinand Marcos and Imelda Marcos in the Philippines in 1984.

Helping with North Korea

One of his most important roles was helping with North Korea. In 2009, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton chose him for this special job. He became the Special Representative for North Korea policy.

His job was to work on solving problems and improving relations with North Korea. He held this important position from March 2009 to October 2011.

Other Important Roles

Besides his work as an ambassador, Stephen Bosworth had many other significant roles. He was involved in education and international organizations.

He taught at several universities, including Columbia University and Hamilton College. He also served on the Board of Trustees for Dartmouth College.

Before becoming ambassador to South Korea, he led an organization called the Korean Peninsula Energy Development Organization (KEDO). This group worked to provide energy to North Korea in exchange for them stopping their nuclear weapons program.

Personal Life

Stephen Bosworth was married twice. He had a son and a daughter with his first wife, Sandra De Puit. They later divorced. In 1984, he married Christine Holmes. He had two stepchildren with her.

His Legacy

Stephen Bosworth passed away on January 4, 2016, at the age of 76. He died from pancreatic cancer in Boston, Massachusetts.

He left behind a legacy of dedicated public service. He worked hard to promote peace and understanding between the United States and other countries. He also wrote a book called Chasing the Sun: Rethinking East Asian Policy Since 1992.

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