On September 22nd, Shin, Young Soo, a professor from medical college of Seoul National University and KOFIH consultant for projects to commemorate Late Lee, Jong Wook and old friend of Late Lee, Jong Wook`s, was appointed as the next chief of WHO WPRO during the 59th WHO WPRO Meeting held in Manilla, Philippines. The following is a press report covering Shin, Young Soo`s appointment as the chief of WHO WPRO. (Seoul=Yonhap News) Reporter Ha, Chae Rim = On September 22nd, Shin, Young Soo(65), a professor of Seoul National University was appointed as the next chief of WHO WPRO during the 59th WHO WPRO meeting held in Manilla, Philippines. Professor Shin, as successor to Dr. Shigeru Omi, will be acting from early next year for five years as the chief of WPRO, one of the 6 WHO Regional Offices around the world. This is the second time that a Korean person was appointed as the chief of WHO Regional Office after the appointment of Dr. Han, Sang Tae(81) for 10 years from 1989. The Ministry of Health and Welfare reported that 30 member countries participated in this election. Other than professor Shin, three candidates including Dr. Tee Ah Sian from Malaysia supported by ASEAN and Dr. Viliami Ta`u Tangi, the deputy prime minister and the minister of health of Tonga consisted of the Pacific Island Nations, participated in this dense competition. In the primary voting session, professor Shin gained 13 votes and candidate Tangi gained 14 votes. However, in the secondary voting session, professor Shin gained 16 votes and candidate Tangi gained 14 votes. Therefore, professor Shin won the election. Professor Shin is expected to make contributions to resolving the health pending issues in the Pacific island nations and other developing countries based on his diverse experiences gained in home and foreign healthcare fields as a professor of medical college of Seoul National University, as the chief of Health Insurance Review Agency, and as WHO consultant. In addition, South Korea is expected to attain opportunities to approach WHO to participate in various projects conducted by WHO. Prior to this election, the government through diplomatic offices having jurisdiction over 29 member countries performed an active support-negotiating activities. Lee, Myung Bak, the president of Korea invited the health ministers from the 12 Pacific island nations to the Blue House last month and requested them to provide positive support for candidate Shin. Jeon, Jae Hee. the minister of health and welfare hosted an invitational banquet in Manilla for all member countries a day(local time) prior to the election.