Choi Gye-woon, 59, a professor at Incheon National University, was named the new CEO of state-run Korea Water Resources Corp., better known as K-water, the company said.

Choi, a well known water environment expert in Korea, has carried out a number of water resource-related studies and projects, including the state-funded “smart water grid project.”

Industry watchers said imminent tasks ahead of the new K-water CEO are to improve the financial health of the organization by cutting the debt level and to restore public trust tainted by corruption scandals involving the “Four River Restoration” project that K-water implemented under the previous government.

Choi, who received his Ph.D. from Colorado State University in the U.S. in civil engineering, previously served as a vice chairman of the Korea Water Resources Association.

(jyseo@heraldcorp.com)