South Korea has named a conservative academic, Kim Yung-ho, as the country's new unification minister. South Korean media say the political science professor is known for his hard-line stance toward North Korea.

The presidential office on Thursday announced the replacement of some Cabinet ministers and other senior officials.

Kim was presidential secretary of unification affairs in the administration of former President Lee Myung-bak.

In the current administration of President Yoon Suk-yeol, he has served as the head of an advisory panel to the Unification Ministry.

As unification minister, Kim will be in charge of handling South Korea's relations with North Korea.

South Korean media say Kim Yung-ho is a vocal critic of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. They say his nomination suggests the Yoon administration will maintain its tough stance toward the North.