The KNRC announced Thursday the Central Committee of the Korean National Red Cross (KNRC) elected Rep. Suh Young-hoon, former Chairman of the ruling Millennium Democratic Party (MDP), as the new KNRC president.

Rep. Suh will serve three years as the 22nd president of the KNRC after being sworn in January, provided he secures the endorsement of President Kim Dae-jung, the organization's honorary president.

Suh said, upon his election, he will try to instill the Red Cross spirit throughout the Korean society, by keeping KNRC activities non-partisan and developing diverse programs.

Suh, born in 1923 in North Korea, joined the KNRC staff in 1953 and led the South delegation during the inter-Korean Red Cross talks in 1972.

He was the secretary general of the organization from 1972 to 1981, and worked for many other civic groups since 1981.

He resigned the MDP chairmanship last week following a party shake-up and was replaced by Kim Joong-kwon.