Human rights expert tapped to lead South Korea's Red Cross

South Korea's Red Cross on Tuesday named Park Kyung-seo, an human rights expert, as its next chief, officials said.

Park, 78, a chair-professor at Dongguk University, was tapped by the central committee to succeed Kim Sung-joo for a three-year term.

His nomination is subject to approval by President Moon Jae-in, honorary head of the Red Cross.

Park served as South Korea's first human rights ambassador in 2001-2007. Since June, he has been working as the chairman of a committee on reforming police.

The Korean Red Cross plays a role in arranging reunions of families separated by the 1950-53 Korean War and handling humanitarian assistance to North Korea.

Kim stepped down on June 30, expressing hope that her successor will help promote inter-Korean reconciliation. (Yonhap)