YONHAP NEWS

(LEAD) Naturalized Korean Lee Cham named tourism head

SEOUL, July 29 (Yonhap) -- Media personality Lee Cham was named chief of the Korea National Tourism Organization Wednesday, the first naturalized Korean to take a top government post in South Korea.

Lee, 55, is the first German male ever to become a naturalized Korean citizen, and his appointment is anticipated to pave the way for others like him to assume government positions, a pledge by President Lee Myung-bak during the 2007 election.

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"I became a Korean citizen to help the country in some way," Lee said in an earlier interview with Yonhap after it was known he had been nominated. "I hope this new role will bring me closer to that goal."

   Lee will hold the post for three years from Thursday, when he will officially be appointed to the post by Culture Minister Yu In-chon.

   "The ministry had requested the president to consider Lee for the post, considering his global experiences which will help boost the domestic tourism sector," the culture ministry said in a press release.

   Having come to Korea in 1978 as Bernhard Quandt, the catalyst for Lee's move was a post with a European cultural foundation, where he helped with academic seminars on international issues. Over time, Lee has played many different roles in Korean society, including a German teacher, English teacher, consultant, actor and broadcaster.

   Lee became one of only a few dozen Caucasian citizens of South Korea in 1986. He has since become a prominent figure in Korean media and politics, and worked for President Lee's campaign during the 2007 elections.

   Lee Cham currently hosts a Korean culture and food show on KTV, a government channel, and is member of the state-run Korean food promotion body.

   Lee was the 325th individual to become a naturalized Korean citizen. The number has since grown to approximately 100,000 individuals to date.

   hayney@yna.co.kr
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