WASHINGTON _ A U.S. lawmaker welcomed on Thursday South Korean President-elect Lee Myung-bak's choice for his prime minister, saying the nominee will help strengthen the two countries' alliance.
Rep. Eni Faleomavaega (D-American Samoa), in remarks for the official congressional record, praised the nominee, Han Seung-soo, for his broad experience in government and his contribution to environmental issues. Han currently serves as special U.N. envoy on climate change, and Faleomavaega is the chairman of the House subcommittee on Asia, Pacific and global environment.
South Korea's incoming president this week named Han as his choice for prime minister of the government taking office on Feb. 25. The nominee's resume includes deputy prime minister for finance and economy, foreign minister, presidential chief-of-staff, and ambassador to Washington.
He was the president of the U.N. General Assembly when the global body passed a resolution denouncing the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks against the U.S.
"The choice of Dr. Han Seung-soo to be prime minister by President-elect Lee Myung-bak provides excellent evidence that the U.S.-Korea alliance partnership will continue to further
consolidate and deepen under their leadership," the U.S. lawmaker said.
"During Dr. Han's tenures as both (South Korea's) foreign minister and ambassador to the United States, he cultivated many friends and admirers in Washington," he said.
(Yonhap)