Labor Minister Named Pres. Chief of Staff

President Lee Myung-bak named Labor and Employment Minister Yim Tae-hee as his new chief of staff Thursday.

The selection of senior secretaries will come after the national convention of the ruling Grand National Party Wednesday.

Lee Dong-kwan, senior presidential secretary for public relations, said, "President Lee has found Yim as the man for the job and as the most appropriate for the reshuffle of the presidential office, leading a central and practical line, and implementing a policy of friendliness toward ordinary people."

President Lee informed Yim of his appointment Wednesday after summoning the minister to the presidential office.

Yim is known to have said, “I will give up my position as lawmaker and do my best as chief of staff.”

Secretary Lee said, “President Lee said Yim is flexible and very open to different opinions while listening carefully to criticism. The president expects the young 54-year-old chief of staff to lead the presidential office more actively.”

A native of the southern Seoul suburb of Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, Yim majored in business management at Seoul National University and has worked for the Finance and Economy Ministry.

srkim@donga.com