[Profile] Kim Sung Hwan, Nominee for Environment Minister... Led 'Eco-Friendly Legislation' Under Lee Administration

Kim Sung Hwan, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, has been nominated as the first Minister of Environment under the Lee Jae Myung administration.

Born in 1965 in Yeosu, Jeollanam-do, Kim graduated from Hanseong High School and earned a degree in law from Yonsei University, later obtaining a master's degree in public administration from the Graduate School of Public Administration at the same university. He served as Policy Coordination Secretary at the Blue House during the Roh Moo Hyun administration. In the 5th local elections in 2010, he was elected Mayor of Nowon-gu, Seoul, and served consecutive terms up to the 6th term.

He is recognized as a policy expert, having served as a member of the 20th, 21st, and 22nd National Assembly (representing Nowon-eul, Seoul). He has also held positions such as Chairman of the Democratic Party Policy Committee, Senior Deputy Floor Leader for Policy, and Chief of Staff to the party leader.

Kim has been active in the National Assembly's Trade, Industry, Energy, SMEs and Startups Committee, as well as the Special Committee on the Climate Crisis. In particular, he has led the enactment of eco-friendly legislation, including the three renewable energy laws (the Renewable Energy Separation Act, the Green Hydrogen Support Act, and the Mandatory Bidirectional EV Charging Act).

Sungwhan Kim, Chairman of the Policy Committee of the Democratic Party of Korea, is attending the Policy Coordination Meeting held at the National Assembly on the 4th and delivering opening remarks. Photo by Dongju Yoon doso7@

He is known to have designed President Lee's climate and energy pledges. Previously, during the Moon Jae In administration, he served as head of the Green New Deal subcommittee. If Kim is appointed as Minister of Environment, he is expected to be tasked with the division of responsibilities for the establishment of the new Ministry of Climate and Energy under the current administration.

The Presidential Office stated, "Kim is a three-term lawmaker who has continuously addressed future environmental issues, including his work on the National Assembly Climate Crisis Special Committee. He fully understands the President's view that the climate crisis is a threat to everyone's survival, and is expected to respond actively to environmental issues based on his legislative experience."

△Born in 1965 in Yeosu, Jeollanam-do △Graduated from Hanseong High School △Law degree from Yonsei University △Master's in Public Administration from Yonsei University Graduate School of Public Administration △Policy Coordination Secretary to President Roh Moo Hyun △Mayor of Nowon-gu, Seoul (5th and 6th terms) △Member of the 20th, 21st, and 22nd National Assembly (Nowon-eul, Seoul) △Chairman of the Democratic Party Policy Committee △Senior Deputy Floor Leader for Policy of the Democratic Party △Chief of Staff to the Democratic Party leader