○Cha Youn-ho (56, born in Pohang, Gyeongsangbuk-do) seconded from Gyeongsangbuk-do Provincial office was appointed as a new Director-General for the NEAR Secretariat on July 9, 2015. New Director General graduated from elementary and middle schools at Gigye village, Pohang City (hometown), and Daegu Electric Technical High School and Korea National Open University. He earned his Master’s degree in Public Administration at the Graduate School of Public Administration, Yeungnam University in February, 1994. Starting from working for Youngil County, Gyeongsangbuk-do Province in March,1983 as a public official, he moved in Gyeongsangbuk-do Provincial office in 1989 and worked in several divisions, such as Tourism, Human Resource Cultivation, and Policy Planning divisions. After getting a promotion as a deputy director in 2006, he worked as a head of Gigye village, chief of revenue management, employee evaluations, and organization management. Finally, he has been seconded to the NEAR Secretariat. ○It is expected that the role of the NEAR Secretariat would be expanded and strengthened due to his expertise in organization management.