![]() |
Choi Chang-hwan |
The Seoul Metropolitan Government (SMG) said Tuesday Choi, who helped Park during the by-election race in 2011, will start his job as early as this week. The post has been vacant for over a month after Kim won-hee resigned on March 3.
A native of Jeonju, Park started his journalist career at the Seoul Economic Daily in 1989. He then moved to Edaily as president before starting to work for the liberal Uri Party as a special adviser for policy makings in 2003.
When Park ran for Seoul mayor in 2011, Choi helped him as a special adviser for political affairs.
Choi obtained his bachelor's degree in economics from Korea University and briefly worked for the Korea Exchange Bank before entering the media industry.
Observers say mishandling of SMG's political affairs, such as safety concerns over sinkholes and the Second Lotte World, have put Park in bind over the past few months.
A source close to Park said, with him, the mayor aims to beef up his risk management.