Busan's police chief has been nominated to take over the nation's top police post, officers said Friday.

Lee Sung-han, who currently heads the Busan Metropolitan Police Agency, has been nominated to succeed Kim Ki-yong as commissioner of the National Police Agency, they said.

"(I) feel a sense of huge responsibility to be nominated for the post that handles such a difficult and important task," Lee told reporters on his way to attend a hearing.

After holding the hearing, the seven-member National Police Commission recommended Lee as the single candidate for the post to President Park Geun-hye through the home affairs ministry, they said.

The president will then officially appoint the new police chief. Lee's nomination is technically subject to a parliamentary confirmation hearing, though the National Assembly cannot reject the nomination.

Lee, a graduate of Dongkuk University with a bachelor's degree in police administration, joined the agency in 1983.

Throughout his career as a police officer, the incoming commissioner earned a reputation for his penetrating insight into different issues, especially in the field of foreign affairs.

Meanwhile, Commissioner Kim tendered his resignation to the Ministry of Public Administration and Security before the hearing, according to sources at the agency. (Yonhap News)