A former U.S. ambassador to South Korea will likely represent Washington in six-nation talks on ending North Korea’s nuclear program.

Diplomatic sources said Monday that Washington has recently conveyed to Seoul that Stephen Bosworth is the most likely candidate to replace Assistant State Secretary Christopher Hill as chief U.S. delegate to the multilateral nuclear negotiations. Bosworth is also likely to serve as Washington’s special envoy to the North.

The State Department is expected to make an announcement on the appointment in a few days.

Bosworth, the current dean of the Fletcher School of Law at Tufts University, is known to have a keen interest in affairs affecting the Korean Peninsula. He also has abundant experience in negotiating with the North Koreans.

Bosworth is 69 years old and is said to have no health problems.