Presidential - South Korea's new President Moon Jae - In has ex prisoner as his right hand

In 1989, Im Jong-Seok was convicted for organizing a rare, high-profile trip to Pyongyang by a female activist to take part in a youth festival. Now, right hand to South Korea's newly elected president Moon Jae In, Im Jong is a former pro democracy activist, who spent more than three years of his life in prison. 

Moon Jae - In took his oath at Seoul's National Assembly, a day after his big win. The ex-human rights lawyer and son of North Korean refugees is well know for his liberal views. 

On his first day in office, the new President declared Im Jong-Seok to be his chief of staff, the second most powerful position in a political system. 

Just like Moon, Im too, was a prominent student activist back in the 1980's, and had protested against the military rule. The two are currently still technically at war and according to the South Korean law, its citizens need government permission to go to the North.

Though Im did not go to Pyongyang himself, he was convicted and jailed over facilitating the trip. According to a leading daily, Im said, "I will serve Moon with all my heart, but will not become a yes man.” 

Ousted leader Park Geun-Hye did not agree with this selection, and expressed his thoughts on the same. He said, "We can’t help expressing regret over the nomination," adding that it would further deepen concerns over Moon’s stance on North Korea. 

What are your thoughts on the same? Let us know in the comments below...