KCCI chief Park Yong-maan takes office

Park Yong-maan, new chairman of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), has pledged to make efforts to represent local businesses' interests and help the country's economy grow.

Park made the pledge during his inauguration ceremony at the KCCI building in downtown Seoul Wednesday.

Earlier in the day, Park, chairman of Doosan Group, was unanimously elected to head the KCCI, a major South Korean business lobby, during an extraordinary general meeting of the business organization.

Park, 59, replaces Sohn Kyung-shik, the embattled CJ Group co-chairman who stepped down earlier this month before his three-year term was over.

Park will serve the remaining term of Sohn until March of 2015.

Park Sae-jin swatchsjp@ajunews.com