WASHINGTON (Yonhap) -- The Korean government has selected an outgoing senior U.S. congressman as the new leader of the Korea Economic Institute (KEI), a key organization in Washington tasked with helping Seoul reach out to the American people, according to diplomatic and congressional sources.
"I know that Rep. Donald Manzullo, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific, will become the president of the KEI," a source said after weeks of speculation on what the 10-term Illinois Republican will do after his upcoming retirement.
Manzullo is known for his efforts to improve the Seoul-Washington alliance and support diplomacy on North Korea.
He faces an exit from Capitol Hill early next year since he failed in a bid for another term with a defeat in a party primary.
South Korea expects Manzullo to play a role in expanding the influence of the KEI, which has served as a front-line base for Seoul's push to enhance public understanding of it here, the source said.
"Dr. Abraham Kim, vice president of the KEI, will serve as acting president for the time being, as Rep. Manzullo has to finish his tenure," the source said.
Jack Pritchard, formerly a veteran diplomat, is to leave the KEI this week after six years of service as its head.
Asked about the possibility of controversy from a job offer while in office, an aide to Manzullo said, "We're working through the ethics issue now."