Former diplomats, security experts win parliamentary seats in general elections

Former diplomats and foreign policy experts with experience in the foreign, unification and defense ministries have secured seats at the National Assembly in the general elections. Two former diplomats, who both served as the country's chief nuclear envoy, won parliamentary seats Wednesday, namely Wi Sung-lac from the main opposition Democratic Party and Kim Gunn from the ruling People Power Party (PPP). Wi, a former ambassador to Russia, served as the special representative for the Korean Peninsula peace and security affairs under the previous Lee Myung-bak administration. Kim focused on North Korea's denuclearization while working as the former special representative at the foreign ministry until February before resigning to join the PPP ahead of the April general elections. Kim Ki-woong, former vice minister at the unification ministry, also secured the PPP's candidacy and won a victory in a district of the southeastern city of Daegu. He has become the first official from the ministry to win a parliame ntary seat. Several former defense officials also secured seats in the latest general elections, including Boo Seung-chan, a former spokesperson at the defense ministry. They are expected to play active roles in the Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee, as well as the National Defense Committee, at the upcoming parliamentary sessions. Source: Yonhap News Agency