Technocrat to Depart OECD Post For Key Blue House Assignment

President Kim Dae-jung on Monday named Han Duck-soo, South Korea's permanent representative to the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development, as Blue House senior secretary for policy and planning. Mr. Han replaces Park Jie-won, who resigned when the president stepped down as head of the ruling Millennium Democratic Party.

The appointment of the 52-year-old former trade minister was seen by most analysts as the president making good on his pledge to commit himself to the economy and international events planned for next year.

Mr.Han enjoys a reputation as a technocrat and an expert in economic and trade affairs. A native of Jeonju, North Jeolla province, he earned a degree in economics from Seoul National University and entered government service in 1970. He also holds a doctorate in economics from Harvard University.

In 1998 he was appointed trade minister and moved on to the Paris-based OECD in 2000.

by Kim Jin-kook