Kim Hyunjong Appointed First Deputy Director of National Security Office, Im Woongsun Second Deputy, Oh Hyunjoo Third Deputy, Ha Jungwoo Named Chief of AI

First Deputy Director: Kim Hyunjong, Former Secretary for Defense Reform
Second Deputy Director: Im Woongsun, Korean Embassy in the United States
Third Deputy Director: Oh Hyunjoo, Ambassador to the Holy See
Chief of AI: Ha Jungwoo, Head of Naver AI Center

Kang Hoonshik, Chief of Staff to the President, is announcing personnel appointments on the 15th at the Presidential Office in Yongsan, Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News

President Lee Jaemyung has appointed Kim Hyunjong, former Secretary for Defense Reform, as the First Deputy Director of the National Security Office. Im Woongsun, currently at the Korean Embassy in the United States, has been named Second Deputy Director, and Oh Hyunjoo, Ambassador to the Holy See, has been selected as Third Deputy Director. Ha Jungwoo, Head of Naver AI Center, has been nominated as Chief of the AI Future Planning Office.

Kang Hoonshik, Chief of Staff to the President, announced these appointments in a briefing on the 15th.

Chief of Staff Kang stated, "Deputy Director Kim is an individual with extensive experience in military policy, having served as Director of U.S. Policy at the Ministry of National Defense, Director of Policy at Army Headquarters, and Secretary for Defense Reform at the National Security Office in the Blue House." He added, "He is the right person to both strengthen the Republic of Korea's security capabilities and lead reform in our military."

Kang continued, "Deputy Director Im has rich experience in U.S.-related diplomacy, having served as First Secretary and Minister at the Embassy in the United States." He also noted, "He is currently serving as Ambassador to Canada, preparing for the G7 (Summit) on site." Kang evaluated, "At a time when the importance of diplomatic negotiations is greater than ever, he will ensure the implementation of practical, national-interest-centered diplomacy."

Regarding Deputy Director Oh, Kang stated, "He has a diverse background, having served as Director-General for Development Cooperation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and as a member of the UN Central Emergency Response Fund Advisory Group." Kang added, "As countries around the world compete in the field of economic security, he will take the lead in establishing economic security strategies to maximize our national interests."

On Ha, who has been appointed as Chief of AI, Kang said, "He is an AI expert who has emphasized a virtuous cycle growth strategy in which the state supports businesses and businesses share their achievements."

Meanwhile, Kang noted, "With the completion of the National Security Office's lineup just one day before the G7 Summit, President Lee Jaemyung stated that the G7 marks the beginning of the restoration of Korea's democracy, summit diplomacy, and economic and trade negotiations."