seoul south koreas incoming president on monday nominated the united nations special envoy on climate change as prime minister his first cabinet appointment presidentelect lee myungbak said han seungsoo was selected because of his wide experience in diplomacy economics and politics han is best qualified to achieve our goal of reinvigorating the economy and also for trade and energy diplomacy lee said citing his political and diplomatic experience han 71 is a former finance and foreign minister who served as ambassador to the united states from 19934 he was elected president of the un general assembly in 2001 he earned a doctorate in economics from the university of york in 1968 and was commerce minister between 19881990 and finance minister between 19961997 the appointment must be confirmed by parliament lee who will be the countrys first president from a business background has promised to promote investment through deregulation and tax adjustments and to raise annual growth to seven percent during his fiveyear term he takes office on february 25 and is expected to finalise his cabinet lineup this week