Red Cross welcomes first female chief

SEOUL, Oct. 6 (Yonhap) -- The South Korean Red Cross said Thursday it named its No. 2 official as its first female head in a meeting earlier in the day.

Vice President Yu Jung-keun will lead the relief organization after her designation is authorized by President Lee Myung-bak, honorary head of the Red Cross.

The Red Cross is responsible for relief aid, and serves as a key channel for aid to North Korea and temporary reunions for family members separated by the 1950-53 Korean War.

It maintains a hotline with its North Korean counterpart at the truce village of Panmunjom, which separates the two Koreas.