(profile) Former prime minister tapped as new S. Korean ambassador to U.S.

SEOUL, Jan. 18 (Yonhap) -- Former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, tapped to become
South Korea's new ambassador to the United States, passed the civil service exam
in 1970 and began his government career as a member of the powerful Economic
Planning Board before moving to the commerce ministry to become an expert on
trade.
He was Seoul's ambassador to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and
Development in 2000 before becoming chief economic policy aide to then President
Kim Dae-jung and Minister of Finance and Economy under the Roh Moo-hyun
administration.
Han also served as prime minister in 2008, and currently chairs a support
committee on the pending South Korea-U.S. free trade agreement in the incumbent
Lee Myung-bak administration.
Han, 59, was born in Jeonju, North Jeolla Province. He graduated from Seoul
National University's economics department and received his doctorate from
Harvard University.
He is expected to replace Ambassador Lee Tae-sik, who has held the post since 2005.
yonngong@yna.co.kr
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