Around the World: Republic of Korea

Ex-PM now US envoy

The Republic of Korea's (ROK) President Lee Myung-bak has named former prime minister Han Duck-soo as new ambassador to the United States, an official said yesterday.

Han, 59, a Harvard-educated technocrat, served as finance minister and in other key economic posts under previous governments. He rose to prime minister, the country's second-highest post, under the administration of Lee's predecessor, Roh Moo-hyun.