First Cabinet Minister from Conservative Background Draws Attention
Significant Implications for Expanding Political Reach in the TK Region
President Lee Jae Myung is reportedly strongly considering former Grand National Party lawmaker Kwon Oeul as the next Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs.
Kwon Oeul, a native of Andong, Gyeongbuk, is a three-term senior lawmaker who served as a member of the 15th, 16th, and 17th National Assembly. During the 21st presidential election, he served as the co-chairman of the election campaign committee for candidate Lee Jae Myung, contributing to the expansion of the conservative base.
If Kwon is ultimately appointed, he would become the first cabinet minister from a conservative background in the progressive Lee Jae Myung administration, adding significant symbolic value to the government's strategy of broadening its political base.
According to sources from the presidential office and the ruling party on June 11, Kwon has recently emerged as a leading candidate for the Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs.
He is a native of Andong, Gyeongbuk, and a three-term senior lawmaker who served in the 15th, 16th, and 17th National Assembly. During the 21st presidential election, he served as the chairman of the National Unity Committee in Lee Jae Myung's campaign, contributing to the expansion of the conservative base.
In particular, Kwon is regarded as a key figure who led President Lee's efforts to expand his political reach in the TK (Daegu-Gyeongbuk) region. Within the ruling party, he is also evaluated as "a figure who possesses both political symbolism and regional representation."
Following the appointment of vice-ministerial officials in the economic, diplomatic, and trade sectors the previous day, the presidential office is also accelerating appointments in the national security lineup, including the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, the Ministry of National Defense, and the Ministry of Unification. President Lee's selection of security officials is seen as a move reflecting the progressive government's vision for balanced state administration.
Candidates being discussed for Vice Minister of National Defense include Lee Namwoo, former Deputy Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs; Kang Geonjak, former commander of the Army 6th Corps; and Kim Dokyun, former commander of the Capital Defense Command.
Lee previously served as Director General for Personnel and Welfare at the Ministry of National Defense and as Deputy Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs under the Moon Jae In administration. Both Kang and Kim also held key military positions, including posts at the National Security Office in the Blue House, during the Moon administration.
Among them, Kim Dokyun led practical negotiations as Director of North Korea Policy at the Ministry of National Defense during the September 19, 2018 inter-Korean military agreement. He is currently serving as the chairman of the Gangwon Provincial Chapter of the Democratic Party of Korea.
Candidates for Minister of National Defense include Democratic Party lawmakers Ahn Gyu Baek and Min Hong Cheol, as well as Kim Min Ki, Secretary General of the National Assembly. For Minister of Unification, Democratic Party lawmaker Chung Dong Young is being considered as the sole candidate, and his appointment is virtually confirmed.
The pool of candidates for Vice Minister of Unification includes Lee Sang Min, former Director General for Planning and Coordination; Kim Nam Joong, former Director General for Unification Policy; Yoon Yong Jo, former Unification Secretary to the Governor of Gyeonggi Province; and Kim Sang Ki, Research Fellow at the Korea Institute for National Unification.
Meanwhile, changes are also expected in the appointments within the Senior Civil Affairs Office of the presidential office. There is a high possibility that those who defended President Lee Jae Myung in major trials, such as his violation of the Public Official Election Act and the Ssangbangwool North Korea remittance case, will be appointed. Lee Tae Hyeong is being strongly considered for the position of Secretary for Civil Affairs, Jeon Chi Young for Secretary for Public Office Discipline, and Lee Jang Hyeong for Secretary for Legal Affairs.
A key official from the ruling party stated, "The progressive government's decision to place centrist and conservative figures at the forefront of its security and veterans affairs lineup is a strategic move for national stability and unity," adding, "This personnel policy, reflecting regional integration, bipartisan cooperation, and ideological balance, will continue going forward."
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