President Lee Myung-bak on Wednesday tapped Rep. Ko Heung-kil of the Grand National Party as minister for special affairs, a post left vacant since the former minister returned to the ruling party last August.

Ko, 67, has served in key GNP posts such as chief policymaker. The third-term lawmaker also chaired the National Assembly’s culture, broadcasting and tourism committee in 2008.

Before entering politics in 1997, Ko had worked as a journalist at the JoongAng Ilbo for nearly three decades.

“Ko has been viewed as having a rational and mild personality, and deep knowledge of pending policy issues,” said Lee’s spokesman Park Jeong-ha during a press briefing.

“With his extensive network of people and rich experience as a journalist and politician, we expect him to play a crucial role in enhancing communication) between the legislature and the government.”

Park added that the vice minister would also be appointed as early as possible after consultation with Ko. Former Vice Minister for Special Affairs Kim Hae-jin offered to resign last month to run in the general election on April 11.

President Lee also plans to name the new chief of the Korea Communications Commission within this week before he embarks on a tour of four Middle East nations on Saturday.

Former KCC chairman Choi See-joong, dubbed Lee’s political mentor, resigned last month amid corruption allegations involving his former aide at the commission.

Cheong Wa Dae is considering a number of candidates for the post including Sohn Gi-sik, dean of the law school at Sungkyunkwan University; Hong Gi-seon, chairman of the cable television viewers’ council; and former vice KCC chairman Song Do-gyun.

“As the post of KCC chairman is important, we are looking for more figures in addition to those (mentioned in the media). I get the feeling that (the presidential office) is giving more weight to fresh figures,” a Cheong Wa Dae official said.

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