An academic with extensive knowledge of North Korean and Asian security affairs has been named as the new head of South Korea’s elite, state-run diplomatic academy, a government official said Monday.

Yun Duk-min, who serves as a professor of international relations at the Korea National Diplomatic Academy, was recently tapped as new chancellor of the academy, succeeding Kim Byung-kook who tendered his resignation in February before the new government of President Park Geun-hye was launched, the official said.

The 54-year-old Yun, who received a master’s degree from University of Wisconsin-Madison and holds a doctorate in international relations from Keio University, has served as a frequent commentator on North Korea and Northeast Asian security issues. (Yonhap News)