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Ex-TV anchor named presidential spokesman

February 5, 2014

Min Kyung-wook

By Kim Tae-gyu

President Park Geun-hye appointed a former television anchor as her new spokesman Wednesday. The position had remained vacant after the departure of former spokeswoman Kim Haing late last year.

Min Kyung-wook, who worked for public broadcaster KBS, will outline Park’s policies to the public, capitalizing on his rich experience in the media, senior presidential secretary for media affairs Lee Jung-hyun said.

“Based on my long experience as a journalist, I will make the utmost effort to improve communication with the public,” Min said.

“After receiving the nod to become the spokesperson before the Lunar New Year holidays, I worried about the role but later decided to accept it. It seemed that deep inside my mind, I had a desire to serve the country.”

The 50-year-old said that he first met President Park in Washington and later he also interviewed her in late 2012 during her presidential campaign. But he said it was unlikely that Park would remember him.

Min, who was born in Incheon, graduated from Yonsei University then joined KBS in 1991 as a reporter and anchor. He was a Washington correspondent for the TV station and became head of its cultural desk last December.

Min is President Park’s third spokesman since her inauguration in February last year.

His predecessor, Yoon Chang-jung was dismissed after becoming embroiled in allegations of sexual assault against an intern during Park’s visit to the United States last May.

Kim Haing, who was appointed along with Yoon, is rumored to have vacated the post because of a difficult working relationship with her immediate boss, senior secretary Lee, one of President Park’s confidants.

There are concerns that Min will also have a hard time working under Lee, who is said to be a very demanding and uncompromising personality. Observers say it remains to be seen how Min will adjust to his new position.