Ford’s Govt Affairs Chief to Head U.S. Talks with N. Korea

Stephen Biegun, Ford Motor Co.’s international government affairs office for the past 14 years, is leaving the carmaker on Aug. 31 to head a U.S. diplomatic delegation to North Korea.

Before he joined Ford, Biegun served as executive secretary of the National Security Council (2001-2003) and national security adviser to then-Sen. Majority Leader Bill Frist.

U.S. Secretary of State Michael Pompeo says he and Biegun will travel to North Korea next week to launch new talks about steps to improve relations between the two countries. Pompeo describes Biegun’s mission as helping achieve the “fully verified denuclearization of North Korea as agreed to by Kim Jong Un.”

Ford says Biegun will be succeeded as head of international government affairs by Michael Sheridan, a 31-year veteran at Ford who most recently was director of global trade strategy and policy.