Han Duck-soo named South Korea PM

SEOUL, March 9 (UPI) -- South Korea President Roh Moo-hyun Friday appointed Han Duck-soo as the nation's new prime minister.

If approved by the National Assembly, Han, 59, former deputy prime minister and minister of finance and economy, will succeed Han Myeong-sook, the country's first female prime minister, the Korea Times said.

An official described Han as an expert on the Korea-U.S. free trade agreement, an important upcoming issue.

Roh also appointed Moon Jae-in, former senior presidential secretary for civil affairs and close confidant to Roh, as new presidential chief of staff. Moon, 54, would replace the resigned Lee Byung-wan.