President-elect Lee Myung-bak announced Monday that he has nominated former foreign minister Han Seung-soo to be his first prime minister.
The 72-year-old Han, now serving as a special envoy on climate change for U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, is known for his wide-ranging diplomatic and political career, which includes stints as finance minister, commerce minister, ambassador to the U.S. and presidential chief of staff. The former three-term lawmaker was also elected president of the U.N. General Assembly in 2001.
"I asked Han to be my first prime minister in consideration of his global mindset and abundant experiences at home and abroad," Lee said in a news conference, standing beside Han.
"Taking advantage of his international experiences and human networks, Han will be able to help revitalize our economy and successfully carry out national tasks in trade and resource diplomacy. He is also the right person to promote national harmony and cooperation between the administration and the National Assembly," Lee said, naming a number of public posts held by Han.
Prime Minister-designate Han, who earned the title of "international gentleman" after serving long in high-profile diplomatic and government posts, said that he will devote his efforts to the welfare of the nation, as well as to Lee's commitment to resource diplomacy.
"Resources are indispensable to our economy. For instance, Chinese leaders Hu Jintao and Wen Jiabao have traveled across the world for resource diplomacy. I'm ready to criss-cross the globe to engage in resource diplomacy. I'll also strive to publicize our nation's human resources abroad," said Han. "We can overcome the looming global economic crisis through further deregulation and stimulation of private investment."
Lee, who will be sworn in on Feb. 25, has unveiled a plan to downsize the organizations and personnel of the prime minister's office, saying his prime minister will be primarily responsible for resource diplomacy.
Han must undergo a parliamentary confirmation hearing before taking office as new prime minister.
According to sources at Lee's transition team, the president-elect on Tuesday will announce the appointment of Yu Woo-ik, a geography professor of Seoul National University, as his presidential chief of staff. Yu is known to be one of Lee's most trusted policy advisers.
Meanwhile, rival parties showed mixed reactions to Han's nomination.
Lee's Grand National Party (GNP) called Han the "most qualified" figure for the post of prime minister, whereas the United New Democratic Party (UNDP) and other liberal parties vowed to take issue with Han's history of working for Chun Doo-hwan's military government.
"Han will be the best man to perform Lee's key national and diplomatic tasks. His relationship with Chun's military government dates back 28 years and his capabilities have already been verified," said GNP spokeswoman Na Kyung-won. "Moreover, his physical age is no matter, as he has actively engaged in various social activities."
But UNDP spokesman Woo Sang-ho said his party was disappointed to see Lee nominate a "past-oriented" figure, like Han, as his first prime minister.
"Han's varied experience is impressive. But he is lacking in vision for a new age. Lee disappointed the nation," said Woo.
(Yonhap)