Lee Jong-wook Appointed as New Commissioner of the Korea Customs Service

New Commissioner of the Korea Customs Service, Lee Jong-wook. [Photo=Korea Customs Service]

Lee Jong-wook has been appointed as the new commissioner of the Korea Customs Service, recognized as a customs expert with extensive practical experience. Born in 1974 in Sangju, North Gyeongsang Province, Lee graduated from Yonsei University with a degree in economics and completed a master's degree in public administration at Rutgers University in the United States. He entered public service after passing the 43rd National Civil Service Examination. Throughout his career, he has held various positions, including director of the Export-Import Logistics Division, director of the Creative Planning and Finance Division, director of Human Resources Management, and director of Customs Planning. He also served as the head of the Incheon Customs Port Inspection Bureau, director of the Examination Bureau, director of the Customs Bureau, Planning and Coordination Officer, and director of the Investigation Bureau. While serving as the director of the Investigation Bureau, he led the newly established Special Investigation Team for Trade Security at the headquarters. He was appointed as the deputy commissioner of the Korea Customs Service in October of last year and has now been promoted internally to commissioner. Lee is the fifth internal appointment to the position of customs commissioner, following former commissioners Sung Yun-kap in 2005, Cheon Hong-wook in 2016, Noh Seok-hwan in 2020, and Lee Myung-gu in 2025. Lee Gyu-yeon, senior presidential secretary for public relations, praised Lee, stating, "He is a seasoned bureaucrat who has held key positions, successfully uncovering large-scale illegal circumvention of exports and jointly cracking down on significant amounts of narcotics with the Thai government. He is well-suited to support companies' trade and investment activities while preventing customs violations that threaten public safety." ◇ Profile △ Born in 1974 △ Graduated from Yonsei University with a degree in economics △ Master's degree in public administration from Rutgers University △ Passed the 43rd National Civil Service Examination △ Former director of the Creative Planning and Finance Division at the Korea Customs Service △ Former director of Human Resources Management at the Korea Customs Service △ Former director of Customs Planning at the Korea Customs Service △ Former head of the Incheon Customs Port Inspection Bureau △ Former director of the Examination Bureau at the Korea Customs Service △ Former director of the Customs Bureau at the Korea Customs Service △ Former Planning and Coordination Officer at the Korea Customs Service △ Former director of the Investigation Bureau at the Korea Customs Service △ Former deputy commissioner of the Korea Customs Service

* This article has been translated by AI.

Kim SeongSeo