[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] The Blue House has appointed former Democratic Party lawmaker Lee Cheol-hee as the Senior Secretary for Political Affairs to the President's Office. The newly appointed senior secretary stated, "I will be an aide who can say 'No' when something is not right."
On the 16th, the Blue House announced that President Moon Jae-in had made personnel appointments for political positions including the Senior Secretary for Political Affairs, Senior Secretary for Social Affairs, and Legal Secretary.
Lee, the newly appointed Senior Secretary for Political Affairs, was born in 1966 and graduated from Dongin High School in Busan, majored in Political Science and Diplomacy at Korea University, earned a master's degree in Comparative Politics, and a doctorate in State and Civil Society from Hanshin University. He served as a member of the 20th National Assembly and is currently the director of the Knowledge Design Institute. Blue House spokesperson Kang Min-seok explained the reason for the appointment, saying, "He will lead coexistence and cooperation through smooth communication between the ruling and opposition parties and the public."
The new senior secretary said, "I lack confidence as my experience and drive do not match those of Mr. Choi Jae-sung (the former Senior Secretary for Political Affairs)," but added, "What I can do is to provide different perspectives and various options so that the president can thoroughly review and make good decisions." He further stated, "I will be an aide who understands public sentiment well, speaks up when necessary, and can say 'No' when something is not right."
Lee Tae-han, Standing Auditor of the National Health Insurance Service, was appointed as the new Senior Secretary for Social Affairs. Born in 1958, Lee graduated from Gyeongbok High School in Seoul, majored in Sociology at Seoul National University, earned a master's degree in Information Management from Boston University, and a doctorate in Public Health from CHA University. He passed the 31st Administrative Examination and has served as Welfare Policy Officer, Director of Health and Medical Policy, and Director of Population Policy at the Ministry of Health and Welfare. The Blue House evaluated him as "an administrative expert with extensive experience and expertise in health care, social welfare, and population policy."
Additionally, Professor Ki Moran of the Department of Cancer Management at the Graduate School of International Cancer Center, National Cancer Center, was appointed as the newly established Quarantine Planning Officer. The Quarantine Planning Officer is responsible for quarantine policies related to COVID-19. Born in 1965, Professor Ki graduated from Geumok Girls' High School in Seoul, earned a medical degree from Hanyang University, a master's degree in Public Health from Seoul National University, and a doctorate in Preventive Medicine from Hanyang University. She has served as Dean of the Graduate School of Public Health at Eulji University, professor in the Department of Preventive Medicine at the College of Medicine, auditor of the Korean Society for Preventive Medicine, and member of the Infectious Disease Control Committee at the Ministry of Health and Welfare.
Yoon Chang-ryeol, Senior Secretary for Social Affairs, was appointed as the 2nd Deputy Minister of the Office for Government Policy Coordination. Born in 1967, Yoon graduated from Daeseong High School in Wonju, majored in Diplomacy at Seoul National University, and earned a master's degree in Public Administration from American University. He passed the 34th Administrative Examination and has served as Director of National Agenda Management, Director of Social Coordination, and Director of National Administration at the Office for Government Policy Coordination. The Blue House stated, "He possesses a balanced perspective on overall state affairs and strong coordination and communication skills," adding, "He will ensure smooth progress in urgent social sector responses such as COVID-19 response and quarantine capabilities, as well as policy coordination tasks including the Korean New Deal."
The new spokesperson, Park Kyung-mi, a former member of the 20th National Assembly, was born in 1965. She graduated from Sudo Girls' High School in Seoul, majored in Mathematics Education at Seoul National University, and earned a master's degree in Mathematics and a doctorate in Mathematics Education from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She has served as a senior researcher at the Korea Educational Development Institute, the Korea Institute for Curriculum and Evaluation, and as a professor in the Department of Mathematics Education at Hongik University. She is currently serving as the Education Secretary at the Presidential Secretariat.
Seo Sang-beom, the new Legal Secretary succeeding Kim Young-sik who resigned, was born in 1970. He graduated from Joongang High School in Seoul and majored in Public Law at Seoul National University Law School. He passed the 42nd Judicial Examination and the 29th Foreign Service Examination. Seo has served as a Foreign Service Officer in the United Nations Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, lawyer at the Central Legal Office of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, lawyer at Dasan Law Firm, Legal Support Officer for Seoul Metropolitan Government, and Legal Officer.
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