Originally published by the Voice of America (www.voanews.com).
Voice of America is funded by the US Federal Government and content it
exclusively produces is in the public domain.

WHO Chief Dies After Emergency Brain Surgery
--------------------------------------------

http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=1250642:3919ACA 61-year-old South
Korean Lee Jong-wook died in Geneva hospital Monday





Lee Jong-wook The head of the World Health Organization has died after
undergoing emergency surgery for a blood clot on his brain.

South Korean Lee Jong-wook died in a Geneva hospital early Monday. He
was 61.

Lee had worked for the WHO for 23 years, both at regional posts and in
Geneva, and became director-general in 2003. He recently built up the
health organization's preparations for a possible human influenza
pandemic caused by bird flu.

Lee fell ill Saturday while attending an official function and
underwent surgery the same day.

The news of Lee's death came as the WHO started its annual assembly in
Geneva Monday.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.

 


.