Julie J. Chung

Julie Jiyoon Chung (, birth 1973 Chung immigrated to California with her family in 1977 at the age of 5.

She received a Bachelor of Arts in political science from the University of California, San Diego and a Master of Arts in international affairs from Columbia University. and served as Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary from February–September 2018. From November 2018 to January 2021 she served as the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs. Hearings on her nomination were held before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on October 20, 2021. The committee reported her nomination favorably on November 3, 2021. The United States Senate confirmed Chung on December 18, 2021, by voice vote. On February 25, 2022, she presented her credentials to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa of Sri Lanka.

US Ambassador Julie Chung has been accused by Sri Lankan parliamentarian, former minister Mr. Wimal Weerawansa of being involved in a conspiracy to overthrow former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and his government. These allegations were made in Mr. Weerawansa's book, "Navaya: Sengawunu Kathawa" (Nine: The Hidden Story), and were also referenced during his speech at the book's launch on April 25, 2023. These allegations have been widely dismissed as misinformation attacks, with allegations that the Chinese government funded Weerawansa's book.

On August 31, 2023, the Federation of National Organizations (Sri Lanka based Political Organization) delivered a letter to Sri Lanka's Minister of Foreign Affairs Hon. Ali Sabry, urging decisive measures to be taken against the US Ambassador Julie Chung to Sri Lanka due to violations of diplomatic protocols. The Sri Lankan Ministry of Foreign Affairs dismissed this letter.

In October 2023, the Sri Lankan Parliament's Sectoral Oversight Committee on National Security recommended informing US Ambassador Julie Chung to avoid commenting on Sri Lanka's internal affairs. This advice was prompted by the ambassador's remarks following the events of May 9, 2022. The Committee's Chairman, Retired Rear Admiral Sarath Weerasekera, expressed concern in a letter to the State Defense Minister, questioning the legitimacy of statements about peaceful protests. Weerasekera accused the ambassador of conveying a negative image of Sri Lanka globally and accused her of endorsing acts of sabotage against the government. Citing the Vienna Treaty, he emphasized that ambassadors should not interfere in another country's internal affairs, urging Chung to refrain from such statements in the future. The parliament dismissed these allegations.

On February 13, 2025, the Coalition Against Partition of Sri Lanka (CAPSL) organized a demonstration front of the US Embassy, Colombo, protesting against US Ambassador Julie Chung and accusing her of breaching diplomatic norms. The demonstrators further claimed that USAID funds were being misused to erode Sri Lanka's sovereignty and foster divisions within its communities. They urged US officials to recall Chung from her position.

In January 2026 Chung was recalled by the United States Department of State. She concluded here tenure and left Sri Lanka on February 16, 2026.

Personal life Chung's father, Jay H. Chung is a space scientist. Her sister, Connie served as a producer at a broadcast station in San Francisco. and Thai.