The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism appointed Park Sung-hyeuck, a former vice president and corporate adviser of Cheil Worldwide, as the new president of the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO), Wednesday, filling a post that had been vacant for nearly two years. The ministry said Park, 57, will serve as the KTO’s 27th president and begin work immediately, and his official appointment ceremony will take place at a later date. A graduate of Hankuk University of Foreign Studies with a master’s degree in journalism from Chung-Ang University, Park is pursuing a doctoral degree in media communication at his alma mater. Over his 30-year career at Cheil, he led the company’s global operations, including posts overseeing Europe and North America. Culture Minister Choi Hwi-young said Park is "a leader with international marketing expertise and strong management skills," expressing confidence that he will help the KTO reach its goal of attracting 30 million foreign visitors and redefine the "K-Tourism" brand. Park’s appointment came as a surprise to many in the tourism sector, as he h