United States picked a public health expert for the World Bank presidency
According to the Reuters, the United States picked a public health expert of South Korean origin as its candidate for the World Bank presidency, a job emerging market economies are contesting for the first time.
The successful candidate in the race will succeed World Bank president Robert Zoellick, who in February announced his intention to step down at the end of his term in June.
The Korean-born Kim is a physician by training and a prominent figure in global health and development circles, the Al Jazeera says.
Officials believe his experience will help counter criticism from developing countries that have grown weary of the US stranglehold on the World Bank presidency.
"It is time for a development professional to lead the world's largest development agency," Obama said flanked by Kim, Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, the Reuters reports.