Korean becomes new WHO boss

A little-known South Korean tuberculosis expert was today elected to head the United Nations health agency.

Jong-wook Lee beat Peter Piot, the Belgian head of UNAIDS, by two votes after a closely fought race.

Lee, who leads the World Health Organisation’s Stop TB Programme, was elected by 17 votes to Piot’s 15 by the 32-member WHO executive committee in Geneva.

Lee will replace former Norwegian Prime Minister Gro Harlem Brundtland, who steps down in July after five years as head of WHO.

The executive board’s decision is subject to approval by the full World Health Assembly in May.

In addition to tackling scourges like poverty and tropical diseases, the new WHO chief – who oversees a worldwide staff of 3,500 – will have to deal with issues such as advances in gene therapy.

Lee gained the reputation as an efficient administrator during 19 years of climbing through the ranks of the WHO.

Initially regarded as a political lightweight, he was said to enjoy solid Asian support – including from rival North Korea, which holds a seat on the executive board.