The Bank of Korea said on Monday Park Won-shik would be appointed as senior deputy governor, the No. 2 position after Gov. Kim Choong-soo, in April as part of regular personnel reshuffles.

Park, 56, will replace Lee Ju-yeol, whose term will expire on April 7. The central bank also announced that four new deputy governors ― Kim Jun-il, Kang Juno, Kang Tae-soo and Kim Jong-hwa ― will take office on April 25 when their predecessors’ terms are set to end. 

Park graduated from Korea University and worked at various departments such as personnel, international finance and general affairs. He has been promoted quickly in recent years, particularly after Gov. Kim took office.

Gov. Kim originally recommended Kim Jun-il to Cheong Wa Dae as the first choice for the No. 2 position, but Park got the post due to a last-minute change following a strong opposition from the bank’s labor union, which opposed Kim’s appointment, citing his background as a non-BOK figure.

Although Kim did not make it to the prestigious position, he managed to get reserved for a deputy governor job, a fast-track promotion even though he built up his career mainly at the Korea Development Institute.

By Yang Sung-jin (insight@heraldcorp.com)