Lee to name former aides as envoys to China and Russia: sources

By Tony Chang
SEOUL, Nov. 13 (Yonhap) -- President Lee Myung-bak is planning to appoint his
former chief of staff as the new ambassador to China and his former knowledge
economy minister as the top diplomat to Russia, diplomatic sources said Friday.

Yu Woo-ik, who served as presidential chief of staff in 2008, has been tapped as
Seoul's ambassador to Beijing, while Lee Yoon-ho, former minister of Knowledge
Economy, has been named to become the ambassador to Russia, according to multiple
diplomatic sources.
Seoul is reportedly in the process of seeking "agreement," or acceptance, from
the Beijing and Moscow governments, said the sources, noting their appointments
will be formally announced later along with 17 other ambassadorial posts.
Yu, 59, a former geology professor at Seoul National University, is known as one
of President Lee's most trusted policy advisers who mapped out several of his
flagship pledges during his presidential campaign.
"We have decided to send a heavyweight figure to Beijing to promote closer
relations with China. We expect the Chinese government to welcome our decision,"
an source privy of the matter said.
Lee Yoon-ho, 61, who had served as head of the LG Economic Research Institute
before joining the Cabinet, is known for his extensive experience and ties in
both private and public sectors related to business and economy.
"As an expert in the real economy, Lee should be able to move forward with
various joint economic projects with Russia, including those related to gas
development and railway construction," an informed source said.
odissy@yna.co.kr
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