President Park Geun-hye named Cho Tae-yong, Seoul’s top nuclear envoy, first vice foreign minister in a small-scale reshuffle that affected two other high-level posts, Cheong Wa Dae said Thursday.

Cho, the special representative for Korean Peninsula peace and security affairs, was selected due to his ample diplomatic experience, professionalism, negotiation skills and management know-how, presidential spokesman Min Kyung-wook told reporters.

Having served in the ministry for some 34 years, Cho will succeed Kim Kyou-hyun, who has recently been appointed the first deputy chief of the National Security Office in Cheong Wa Dae.

Park also designated Park Kyung-kook, the chief of the National Archives of Korea, the first vice minister of the Ministry of Security and Public Administration, a post left vacant after his predecessor Park Chan-woo resigned to run in the local elections slated for June.

Park was chosen for his extensive experience in public administration and provincial governance, and creative ideas and communication skills, the presidential spokesperson said. Park has worked in public service for some 33 years.

For the post of first vice minister of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, the president picked Kim Kyung-sik, a presidential secretary for land, infrastructure and transport.

Kim was selected for his three decades of experience in construction and housing affairs, and his inter-agency coordination skills and planning capabilities, Cheong Wa Dae said. Current Vice Minister Hyun Ki-pung has offered to resign for unspecified reasons.

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