Ex-Vice Tourism Minister Becomes KTO President
By Kim Rahn
Staff Reporter
Former Vice Culture and Tourism Minister Oh Jee-chul was named president of the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) Friday.
Oh, 58, will head the tourism body for the next three years.
``I'll make efforts to improve recognition of the tourism industry, which is a growth engine in the 21st century. I'll also try to reform regulations that have prevented the industry's development,'' Oh said in his inaugural address.
Oh also said he would improve competitiveness of the nation's tourism industry through creative ideas.
Oh, a graduate of Seoul National University's law college, obtained a Ph.D. at the school.
He held several high-ranking positions at the Ministry of Culture and Tourism from 1995 to 2003, and was vice minister between March 2003 and July 2004. He was also a presidential advisor for the nation's bid to host the Olympic Winter Games in PyeongChang in 2006.
He served as chairman of the Korean Cable TV Association since March 2006 before being appointed KTO head.