Ha Man-sik will take the helm of the Korea Coast Guard as its full-fledged leader, ending a months-long stretch under an acting chief.
Ha will be promoted to commissioner general on the 17th and appointed the 21st commissioner general of the Korea Coast Guard the following day, the agency said on the 17th. He was formally nominated for the post a day earlier. His inauguration ceremony will be held at 9:30 a.m. on the 18th in the main auditorium of the agency's headquarters in Yeonsu-gu, Incheon.
A native of Gwangyang in Jeollanam-do, Ha graduated from Suncheon High School and studied marine engineering at Korea Maritime and Ocean University. He joined the Coast Guard in 2000 as a member of the 48th class of officer candidates. His previous posts include head of the investigation division at the Seogwipo Coast Guard Station, chief of the personnel team, audit team and audit office at headquarters, chief of the Taean and Yeosu Coast Guard stations, and a policy director at the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries.
The appointment will restore a permanent commissioner general about 10 months after the agency began operating under an acting chief in December last year.
