President Moon's Deputy Minister and Secretary Appointments... Kim Hyung-jin as 2nd Deputy Director of the National Security Office

Lee Jeong-hee as Vice Chairman of the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission, Kim Hyun-jong, former 2nd Deputy Director of the National Security Office, appointed as Special Advisor to the President on Foreign Affairs and National Security

[Asia Economy Reporter Ryu Jeong-min] Kim Hyung-jin has been appointed as the International Relations Ambassador of Seoul Metropolitan City, replacing the 2nd Deputy Director of the National Security Office at the Blue House. Lee Jeong-hee, former Standing Auditor of Korea Electric Power Corporation, has been nominated as the Vice Chairman of the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission, a vice-ministerial position. Former 2nd Deputy Director Kim Hyun-jong has been nominated as the President’s Special Advisor on Foreign Affairs and National Security.

Blue House spokesperson Kang Min-seok announced these vice-ministerial and secretary appointments during a briefing at the Press Center on the afternoon of the 20th.

Spokesperson Kang explained, "President Moon Jae-in has made vice-ministerial appointments today. Lee Jeong-hee, former Standing Auditor of Korea Electric Power Corporation, has been nominated as Vice Chairman of the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission; Kim Hyung-jin, International Relations Ambassador of Seoul Metropolitan City, as the 2nd Deputy Director of the National Security Office; and Kim Hyun-jong, 2nd Deputy Director of the National Security Office, as the President’s Special Advisor on Foreign Affairs and National Security."

The view of Cheongwadae from Namsan, Seoul on the 11th. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

Lee Jeong-hee, the newly appointed Vice Chairman of the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission, is a legal professional who has served as Vice President of the Korean Bar Association, President of the Gwangju Bar Association, and Standing Auditor of Korea Electric Power Corporation. She is recognized for her extensive experience handling cases in criminal, civil, and administrative litigation, as well as her rich public interest activities, demonstrating excellent skills in mediating and resolving collective conflicts and strong communication capabilities.

Spokesperson Kang stated, "She is expected to contribute to protecting citizens’ rights through smooth handling of grievances, improving unreasonable administrative systems, and mediating and resolving collective complaints."

Kim Hyung-jin, the newly appointed 2nd Deputy Director of the National Security Office, is a former foreign service official who has held key positions such as Director of the North American Affairs Bureau at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Deputy Minister, and Foreign Affairs Secretary at the Blue House.

Spokesperson Kang said, "He possesses deep knowledge of Korea-US issues and North Korean nuclear matters, along with diplomatic experience and expertise in relations with the United States and China. We expect him to successfully address his responsibilities as the 2nd Deputy Director of the National Security Office and to effectively promote diplomacy and unification policies."

Kim Hyun-jong, the newly appointed President’s Special Advisor on Foreign Affairs and National Security, is an expert in US negotiations, diplomacy, and trade. Spokesperson Kang evaluated, "He has served as a WTO adjudicator, head of trade negotiations, and ambassador to the United Nations, demonstrating outstanding international insight and comprehensive diplomatic acumen."

Spokesperson Kang added, "While serving as the 2nd Deputy Director of the National Security Office under the Moon Jae-in administration, he established a stable Korea-US cooperative system through close collaboration with the United States, including revising the Korea-US FTA and successfully renegotiating missile guidelines. Based on his experience in domestic and international diplomatic fields and his expertise in US negotiations, trade negotiations, and dispute resolution, he is expected to excellently fulfill his advisory role to the President on diplomatic and security issues."

Additionally, Spokesperson Kang announced the nominations of Lee Shin-nam, Senior Administrative Officer of the Political Secretary’s Office, as Secretary for Institutional Reform at the Blue House; Lee Byung-heon, President of the Small and Medium Business Institute, as Secretary for Small and Medium Enterprises and Startups; and Jeong Ki-soo, Policy Advisor to the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, as Secretary for Agriculture, Food, and Fisheries.