The appointments include key posts overseeing the economy, judicial reform, education, and national safety.
Koo Yun-cheol, a veteran technocrat and former chief of the Office for Government Policy Coordination, was tapped as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance. Koo is expected to play a central role in steering the administration’s economic strategy.
Lee also nominated five-term Democratic Party lawmaker Jeong Seong-ho, a longtime confidant, as Minister of Justice. Jeong is slated to lead the administration’s efforts on judicial and prosecutorial reform, one of Lee’s central campaign pledges.
Another five-term Democratic Party veteran, lawmaker Yun Ho-jung, was named Minister of the Interior and Safety. Yun, who served as chief strategist for Lee’s presidential campaign, will oversee the government’s broad restructuring of the nation’s investigative agencies, including the police.
The nominations reflect Lee’s reliance on trusted political allies and career officials with deep administrative experience. Jeong, in particular, is seen as one of Lee’s closest associates, having supported him since his initial presidential bid in 2017.
Despite representing the conservative-leaning northern Gyeonggi constituencies of Dongducheon, Yangju, and Yeoncheon, Jeong has secured five consecutive terms, signaling strong local support and bipartisan credibility. He also served as chair of the talent recruitment committee for Lee’s campaign, helping shape the framework for the new cabinet and presidential office appointments.
Yun, who represents Guri in Gyeonggi Province, similarly brings longstanding loyalty to the administration, having directed Lee’s campaign operations throughout the race.
For education minister and deputy prime minister, Lee nominated Lee Jin-sook, the former president of Chungnam National University. She is expected to helm efforts to modernize South Korea’s education system amid demographic decline and rising concerns over academic inequality.
Kim Jung-kwan, president of Doosan Enerbility, was named Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy.
Jeong Eun-kyeong, the former commissioner of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, was nominated as Minister of Health and Welfare. Jeong gained national recognition during the Moon Jae-in administration for her leading role in South Korea’s COVID-19 response.
As part of the announcement, former prosecutor Bong Wook was appointed as the senior presidential secretary for civil affairs, and Jeon Seong-hwan was appointed as senior secretary to the president for public engagement and social cohesion.
reporter
Candice Kim
candicekim1121@ajupress.com
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.
View more comments