0
Clockwise from top left: Koo Yoon-cheol, nominee for Minister of Economy and Finance; Lee Jin-sook, nominee for Minister of Education; Jung Sung-ho, nominee for Minister of Justice; Yoon Ho-jung, nominee for Minister of the Interior and Safety; Kim Jung-kwan, nominee for Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy; and Jung Eun-kyeong, nominee for Minister of Health and Welfare. / Source: Yonhap News

President Lee Jae-myung on June 29 announced six cabinet nominations, including key appointments in the Justice and Interior Ministries, as part of the first phase of his new administration.

Former Government Policy Coordination Minister Koo Yoon-cheol was nominated as Minister of Economy and Finance and will serve concurrently as Deputy Prime Minister. Lawmaker Jung Sung-ho, a five-term heavyweight from the pro-Lee camp, was nominated to head the Ministry of Justice, signaling a strong push for judicial reform. Another close ally, Rep. Yoon Ho-jung, was named Interior and Safety Minister.

At a press briefing, Chief Presidential Secretary Kang Hoon-sik emphasized the administration’s intent to move swiftly, citing President Lee’s directive to prioritize competence in the face of mounting economic challenges.

Jung Eun-kyeong, former head of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, was tapped as Minister of Health and Welfare, while Kim Jung-kwan, CEO of Doosan Enerbility, was nominated as Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy. Lee Jin-sook, former president of Chungnam National University, was named Minister of Education.

President Lee also appointed former South Gyeongsang Province Governor Kim Kyung-soo as chair of the Presidential Committee for Balanced National Development—a minister-level post.

Key vice-ministerial appointments announced include Lee Dong-soo as the First Deputy Director of the National Intelligence Service and Kim Ho-gong as the Second Deputy Director. Attorney Kim Yi-soo was named Chief of Policy and Planning. Lee Jin-soo, who currently heads the Criminal Affairs Department at the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office, was appointed Vice Minister of Justice. Ryu Jae-myung, Head of the Network Policy Bureau, was named Second Vice Minister of Science and ICT. Lee Ho-hyun, Head of the Energy Policy Bureau, was appointed Second Vice Minister of Industry. Lee Hyung-hoon, President of the Korea Public Tissue Bank, was named Second Vice Minister of Health and Welfare. Lastly, Lee Sang-kyung, a professor of Urban Planning and Landscape Architecture at Gachon University, was appointed First Vice Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.

The current head of the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, Oh Yoo-kyung, will remain in office.

For senior presidential staff, former Deputy Prosecutor General Bong Wook was named Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs, and Jeon Seong-hwan, former secretary-general of the National Governors Association, was appointed Senior Secretary for Public Communication.

“This round of appointments reflects President Lee’s strong emphasis on capability,” Kang said. “He has stressed the need to move swiftly to overcome the economic crisis and restore national systems.”