SEOUL - SOUTH Korean President-elect Lee Myung-bak has decided to name a United Nations special envoy on climate change as his first prime minister, news reports said on Friday.
Mr Lee discussed the intention with the envoy, Mr Han Seung-soo, at a meeting on Thursday, Yonhap news agency and major newspapers reported, citing unidentified aides to Mr Lee.
Mr Lee's office declined to confirm the reports, saying there would be an official announcement as early as next week.
The job of prime minister is the second-highest government post in South Korea, but is largely ceremonial in this country where power is heavily concentrated in the presidency.
Mr Han, 72, was named the UN envoy last year by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, a former South Korean foreign minister.
His resume is studded with other high-profile posts, including South Korea's foreign minister in 2001-2002, finance minister in 1996-97, national legislator three times since the late 1980s, and president of the UN General Assembly in 2001-2002.
Comments from Mr Han were not immediately available.
The nomination of prime minister is subject to parliamentary approval.
Mr Lee takes office on Feb 25. -- AP
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UN climate change envoy named as S. Korean PM 
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