[Profile] Jeong Dongyoung Nominated as Minister of Unification... Returns After 20 Years

On June 23, Jeong Dongyoung, a five-term lawmaker from the Democratic Party of Korea and a former journalist, was nominated as the first Minister of Unification in the Lee Jaemyung administration. He previously served as the 31st Minister of Unification under the Roh Moo-hyun administration from 2004 to 2005. If appointed after the National Assembly confirmation hearing, he will return as the 44th Minister of Unification, marking his return to the post after 20 years.

Born in Sunchang, North Jeolla Province, Jeong graduated from Jeonju High School and Seoul National University with a degree in Korean history. He worked as a reporter and anchor at MBC. He entered politics in 1996 and served as a National Assembly member for Jeonju, North Jeolla, in the 15th (National Congress for New Politics), 16th (Millennium Democratic Party), 18th (Independent), 20th (People's Party), and 22nd (Democratic Party of Korea) National Assemblies. In 2002, he ran in the 16th presidential election but lost in the primary to Roh Moo-hyun, and in 2007, he ran again but was defeated by Lee Myungbak, the candidate from the Grand National Party at the time.

Jeong Dongyoung, member of the Democratic Party of Korea

After Jeong served as the 31st Minister of Unification, the position was succeeded by Lee Jongseok, who is now the nominee for Director of the National Intelligence Service and was the 32nd Minister of Unification. As the Lee Jaemyung administration is showing a willingness to resolve strained inter-Korean relations, there are high expectations for the "collaboration" between these two individuals, both of whom have extensive experience in North Korea policy.

At a briefing on this day, Kang Hoonshik, Chief Presidential Secretary, stated, "Jeong is an individual with unparalleled experience and a firm philosophy regarding peace on the Korean Peninsula," and explained that "he is the right person to create conditions for dialogue with North Korea and to find a breakthrough to ease tensions on the Korean Peninsula."