The 56th World Health Assembly (WHA), being held in Geneva, confirmed Lee Jong-wook as the new director general of the World Health Organization (WHO) Wednesday.

Lee, who had sidestepped a challenge by Peter Piot of Belgium in a run-off election earlier this year, is the first Korean to be tapped to lead an international body under the United Nations.

Lee will replace former Norwegian Prime Minister Gro Harlem Brundtland, who is stepping down after five years as head of the WHO.

The 58-year-old medical doctor will officially take the helm of the WHO beginning in July for a five-year term.

The new WHO director general has built up a reputation for tackling chronic scourges such as poverty, and gained respect as an efficient administrator during his nearly two decades of service in the international health body.