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President Lee Jae-myung appoints six new vice ministers and a chief trade negotiator, including Lee Hyung-il (from left), Lim Ki-geun, Park Yoon-joo, Kim Jin-a, Moon Shin-hak, and Yeo Han-koo, on June 10. / Source: Presidential Office

President Lee Jae-myung appointed six new high-ranking officials on June 10, including vice ministers for the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MOEF), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE), and a new chief trade negotiator, the presidential office announced.

According to presidential spokesperson Kang Yoo-jung, Lee named Lee Hyung-il, current head of Statistics Korea, as 1st Vice Minister of MOEF and Lim Ki-geun, current chief of the Public Procurement Service, as 2nd Vice Minister.

For the Foreign Ministry, Park Yoon-joo, minister at the Korean Mission to ASEAN, was appointed 1st Vice Minister, while Kim Jin-a, a professor at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, was tapped for the 2nd Vice Minister post. Moon Shin-hak, MOTIE spokesperson, was promoted to 1st Vice Minister. Yeo Han-koo, a senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics and former trade representative under the Moon administration, was appointed as Korea’s new trade minister to lead tariff negotiations with the U.S.

Spokesperson Kang explained, "The Lee administration is focusing personnel appointments on economic recovery and overcoming the downturn," adding that "these selections center on bringing in seasoned experts in economic and industrial fields to swiftly resolve the ongoing economic crisis."

Regarding Lee Hyung-il, Kang highlighted his extensive macroeconomic experience and resilience during crises, including his tenure in the Financial Policy Bureau following the 1998 IMF crisis. "He also brings international insight as a former senior economist at the IBRD and is highly trusted within the ministry," she said.

On Lim Ki-geun, Kang emphasized his credentials as a renowned budget expert with broad experience in MOEF’s core departments. “He combines expertise in policy coordination and growth strategies, and is expected to facilitate cooperation with the National Assembly through his experience in parliamentary affairs,” she added.

Park Yoon-joo, appointed as 1st Vice Foreign Minister, was praised for his long-standing expertise in U.S.-Korea relations, having served in key Washington posts. Kang stated, “He is well-suited to protect national interests through pragmatic diplomacy, particularly in tariff talks, a top priority under the Trump administration’s second term.”

Kim Jin-a, the new 2nd Vice Foreign Minister, was described as a promising academic with multidimensional experience, including serving as a policy adviser to the ROK-U.S. Combined Forces Command. She is also one of only three Koreans to have served as a disarmament adviser to the UN Secretary-General. “She is expected to be a strong presence in multilateral diplomacy, including the upcoming G7 summit,” said Kang.

Moon Shin-hak, newly named as 1st Vice Minister of MOTIE, was introduced as an energy policy veteran. “Having led the Energy Transition Task Force under the minister’s office, he has deep expertise across oil, gas, and nuclear sectors, making him a key figure for leading Korea’s energy transition,” Kang noted.

On Yeo Han-koo, the newly appointed chief trade negotiator, Kang said, “He previously oversaw trade policy during the first Trump administration and is widely recognized for his strategic grasp of global trade and economic cooperation.” She added that Yeo is expected to play a central role in steering Korea through escalating global trade tensions, including those between the U.S. and China.

Kang concluded, “With the upcoming G7 summit, the Lee administration has rapidly formed a team of diplomatic experts to represent Korea’s national interests. We are committed to restoring the government, disrupted by past internal turmoil, and forging effective strategies to combat global protectionism.”