Dr. Lee Jong-wook of South Korea is scheduled to take office as the new director-general of the World Health Organization (WHO) Monday, becoming the first South Korean to lead an international organization under the United Nations.

Replacing former Norwegian Prime Minister Gro Harlem Brundtland, Lee, 58, is set to take charge of the top international body for a five-year term.

The South Korean expert on tuberculosis said he plans to visit North Korea next year, adding that the international health organization would make its utmost efforts to provide humanitarian aid to the North.

In another interview in Geneva, Lee said he would push for programs to help people in countries with serious medical problems.

Lee was chosen as the WHO's new director-general in a run-off election in January, and the 56th World Health Assembly confirmed the South Korean as the new WHO leader in May.