By Lee Chi-dong
The World Bank chose Jim Yong Kim, a Korean-born physician, as its new president on Monday, extending Washington's hold on the organization tasked with helping developing nations.
Kim, a renowned health expert and educator, was nominated by President Barack Obama last month to head the 187-nation World Bank, established in 1944.
The bank's directors selected Kim in a meeting over Nigerian Finance Minister Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. He succeeds Robert Zoellick, former deputy secretary of state.
Kim will take up the post in July for a five-year term.
Born in Seoul, the capital of South Korea, in 1959, Kim moved to the U.S. with his family when he was 5 years old. Kim has served as the president of Dartmouth College since 2009.
He is known for tireless efforts to treat HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis in the developing world.
Kim openly said his knowledge on South Korea's industrialization and democratization will be of great help in working at the World Bank.
The U.S. hailed Kim's election, which kept alive the tradition of Americans leading the World Bank despite a challenge by some developing nations.
Kim's selection marks the first time that the head of the World Bank has been chosen through formal competition.
"I appreciate the strong support offered to Dr. Kim from leaders around the world," Obama said in a statement. "I am also pleased that this has been an open and transparent process, and would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the outstanding qualifications and commitment of the other two candidates."
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