By Lee Hyo-won
Staff Reporter
Former vice culture minister Kim Jang-sil has been appointed as president of Seoul Arts Center, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced Thursday.
The 53-year-old will begin his three-year tenure after taking part in a conferment ceremony Friday. He succeeds Shin Hong-soon, the former CEO of LG International Corp., 68, who resigned last month for health reasons.
Kim has made a traditional inroad to his new position, serving as vice minister of culture. He became a civil servant after passing the 23rd public administration examination and went on to head the culture ministry's art and general affairs departments. Since resigning from the civil service in April he has been serving as a director of the Korean organizing committee for We the Culture Forum, an international culture organization.
``Kim possesses the ability and leadership to strengthen the public aspect of Seoul Arts Center and to establish long-term visions for the center,'' the ministry said regarding his appointment.