Lee, currently an an advisor of the LG International Corporation, has been rushed into the key role ahead of the Winter Olympics in just under two years time after predecessor Cho Yang-ho dramatically quit.

His career has mainly been in politics and business, beginning as a Government official in 1972 and later leading to South Korea's Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy job from 2003 to 2006.

He has also held positions at organisations including the Korea International Trade Association, the Korea Employers Federation, STX Energy and STX Heavy Industries, but there are glimpses of sport on the official's CV.

He was an adviser for Pyeongchang's Olympic Bidding Committee in 2006, during the unsuccessful attempt to secure the 2014 Winter Olympics eventually awarded to Sochi.

Lee was also head of the bidding committee for the 2015 Summer Universiade in Gwangju and has worked as a consultant to Pyeongchang 2018.

"Having worked as a consultant for the POCOG, I have a clear idea of Pyeongchang's Olympic preparations," Lee told Yonhap.

"I may still be a novice in the field, but I will try to make sure South Korea's status in the international sports community doesn't suffer.

"I understand the people are also worried that time is running out.

"But I will try to make the most of the assets at hand to overcome obstacles and stage a successful Olympic Games."

The new President said he will attend the International Olympic Committee's Executive Board meeting in Lausanne, between June 1 and 3.

Building relationships with the heads of Winter Olympic sports is also a key priority.

Lee was immediately announced as Cho's successor after the latter's shock exit on May 3.

He was then officially nominated by POCOG's Executive Board, which saw the matter passed to General Assembly.

A drawn out process is not yet complete, however, as his appointment still needs to be rubber-stamped by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

That should be done in time to allow Lee to start work on Monday (May 16).

Cho has stepped down to deal with financial issues at his Hanjin Shipping company.

He had only been in the job since July 2014 after the resignation of Kim Jin-sun, who left on the grounds that "new leadership was required to complete preparations for the Games".

His departure comes as a blow to Pyeongchang with the Winter Olympics just under two years away.

Under his leadership, fears about the a lack of domestic sponsors were eased thanks to deals with Korean Air, Samsung, Hyundai and SK Group as Tier One partners.

In February, Cho also led the hosting of the International Ski Federation (FIS) Alpine World Cup at the Jeongseon Alpine Centre, despite doubts in the build-up that the first official test event of the Games would be able to go ahead.

This was because of tight construction deadlines at the centre.