A former journalist known for his work for the Korean community in the United States has been chosen as the new head of a state-run foundation tasked with promoting the benefits of Korean compatriots overseas, the foreign ministry said Monday.

Han Woo-sung was named head of the Overseas Koreans Foundation, according to the ministry. He, 61, is to serve a three-year term at the organization.

Han worked as a journalist from 1988-2003 at a Korean daily in the United States. He is currently serving as the head of a foundation established to honor the contribution made by Kim Young-oak, a highly decorated Korean-American veteran during World War II and the Korean War.

South Korea has around 7.4 million nationals living overseas in some 190 countries.

Source : Yonhap