President Lee Myung-bak on Friday tapped Nam Sung-wook, head of the Institute for National Security Strategy, as secretary general of a presidential advisory panel on reunification.

The secretary-general at the National Unification Advisory Council is a vice-ministerial post. Nam, 52, is noted for his extensive research and lectures on North Korea. He had served as professor of North Korean studies at Korea University from 2002 to 2008.

“Nam is well-versed in North Korean affairs and viewed as having good skills to deal with pending issues,” a Cheong Wa Dae official said, declining to be named.

By Song Sang-ho (sshluck@heraldcorp.com)