President Lee Myung-bak on Wednesday tapped Rep. Ko Heung-kil of the Grand National Party as minister for special affairs, a post left vacant since the former minister returned to the ruling party last August.

Ko, 67, has served in key GNP posts such as chief policymaker. The third-term lawmaker also chaired the National Assembly’s culture, broadcasting and tourism committee in 2008.

Before entering politics in 1997, Ko had worked as a journalist at the local daily JoongAng Ilbo for nearly three decades.

“Ko has been viewed as having a rational and mild personality, and deep knowledge of pending policy issues,” said Lee’s spokesman Park Jeong-ha during a press briefing.

“With his extensive network of people and rich experience as a journalist and politician, we expect him to play a crucial role (to enhance communication) between the legislature and the government.”

Park added that the vice minister would also be appointed as early as possible after consultation with Ko. Former Vice Minister for Special Affairs Kim Hae-jin offered to resign last month to run in the general elections slated for April 11.

By Song Sang-ho
(sshluck@heraldcorp.com)