New Appointments in South Korea's Presidential Office Focus on Key Reforms

President Lee Jae-myung announced a reshuffle of his senior aides on June 21, replacing key officials responsible for major reforms in media, prosecution, and labor.

While the heads of the policy, security, and secretarial offices remain unchanged, the economic policy team, including the Financial Planning Advisor and the Chief of Economic Growth, will continue their work. This move is seen as an effort to maintain existing policies and focus on achieving results amid global economic challenges, including conflicts in the Middle East.

Seong Gi-hong, the new Spokesperson, previously served as the political news director and editorial writer at Yonhap News, as well as the head of news at Yonhap News TV.

Kang Hoon-sik, the Chief of Staff, stated during a briefing at the Chunchugwan, "As a seasoned journalist with 30 years of experience, he possesses the sensitivity of a reporter and the balance and judgment of a news leader. I expect him to carefully listen to the voices of the people towards an irreplaceable Republic of Korea and to effectively support communication with the public so that they can easily feel the government's responses and achievements."

Han Chan-sik, the new Chief of the Legal Affairs Office, comes from Kim & Chang law firm and has a background that includes serving as the Director of Human Rights at the Ministry of Justice, as well as the Chief Prosecutor of the Suwon District Prosecutors' Office and the Seoul Eastern District Prosecutors' Office.

Notably, Han led investigations related to the previous Moon Jae-in administration while serving as Chief Prosecutor of the Eastern District, overseeing the prosecution of former Environment Minister Kim Eun-kyung and former Blue House aides Song In-bae and Shin Mi-sook. His experience in these investigations led to speculation about his potential nomination as Minister of Justice under the Yoon Suk-yeol administration.

After failing to secure a promotion due to his investigations targeting the Moon administration, Han submitted his resignation just before a high-level personnel reshuffle in July 2019. He is also the son-in-law of Choi Byeong-ryul, a former leader of the Grand National Party, the predecessor of the current People Power Party.

Kang noted, "As a legal professional who has accumulated a balanced understanding of strict law enforcement and human rights sensitivity through his roles as Director of Human Rights at the Ministry of Justice and in various prosecutorial leadership positions, he will strengthen accountability in the public service during the second year of the administration and ensure the successful implementation of judicial reforms, including the establishment of a serious crime investigation agency and a public prosecution office."

Kim Kyung-ja, appointed as the Social Affairs Chief, is a labor activist and former pharmacist.

Kim has held positions such as a member of the National Pension Fund Management Committee at the Ministry of Health and Welfare, Vice Chair of the National Health and Medical Industry Workers' Union, and Senior Vice Chair of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions. She currently serves as a director at ESG Korea.

Kang described her as "a leader who has driven social change as a healthcare expert, labor activist, and civil society advocate, and is well-suited to address social issues so that all citizens can enjoy opportunities for growth and a decent life."

Kang Geon-jak has been appointed as the First Deputy Director of the National Security Office, while Song Gi-ho, the current Economic Security Secretary, has been appointed as the Third Deputy Director.

The new First Deputy Director began his military career at the Army Academy and has served as the commander of the 28th Infantry Division. He held positions in the Moon Jae-in administration as the head of the National Crisis Management Center and as a defense reform secretary. He retired as a major general in 2023 after serving as the commander of the 6th Army Corps and was appointed as a civilian member of the Presidential Future Defense Strategy Committee under the Lee Jae-myung administration.

Kang emphasized that the new Deputy Director is a security expert who has consistently proposed realistic alternatives regarding military political neutrality, self-defense capabilities, and military structural reforms, making him well-suited to further strengthen national security capabilities.

Song, who has been part of the Blue House team since the beginning of the current administration, has been promoted to Third Deputy Director after serving as the head of the National Security Situation Office and as Economic Security Secretary.

Kang stated, "Over the past year, he has played a pivotal role in navigating rapidly changing trade environments, including shifts in U.S. tariff policies and supply chain risks stemming from the Middle East. I expect him to maintain continuity and stability in economic security policies while responding proactively and swiftly to new security threats."

Nam Jae-heon, the new Vice Minister of Oceans and Fisheries, is a prominent port expert who previously served as the Director of the Port Bureau and the head of the Busan North Port Integrated Development Promotion Team.

He is recognized for laying the groundwork for the development of the Arctic route and the establishment of a marine capital through his leadership as the inaugural head of the Arctic Route Promotion Headquarters, including the enactment of the Arctic Route Special Act.