DPK on 12 Ministerial Appointments: "First Step Toward a True Republic of Korea"

Park Sanghyuk: "Expecting Them to Lead the Way Through Complex Crises"

The Democratic Party of Korea expressed its anticipation on June 23 regarding President Lee Jae-myung's announcement of 12 ministerial-level cabinet appointments, stating that it would mark "the first step toward a true Republic of Korea." The party also urged the opposition People Power Party to cease its political offensives so that Prime Minister nominee Kim Minseok could be appointed.

Park Sanghyuk, Chief Spokesperson for the Democratic Party, held a briefing at the National Assembly's press center that afternoon, saying, "Today, the Presidential Office announced the appointments of 11 ministers and the Chief of the Office for Government Policy Coordination, who will work with President Lee to build a true Republic of Korea."

Chief Spokesperson Park emphasized, "For the first time since the 5·16 military coup, a civilian will be appointed as Minister of National Defense. This confirms President Lee's strong commitment to securing artificial intelligence (AI) sovereignty. In addition, five sitting Democratic Party lawmakers have been nominated as ministers," adding, "These individuals have a deep understanding of the president's governing philosophy and possess extensive knowledge of the executive branch through their legislative experience, so expectations are very high."

He further stressed, "We expect that each of today's nominees will faithfully realize the president's philosophy of pragmatism and effectiveness, and will take the lead in helping the Republic of Korea overcome the complex internal and external crises it faces."

Addressing the People Power Party, which has raised various allegations and launched attacks against nominee Kim, he said, "We are facing an urgent global crisis and cannot afford to waste time. Please conduct confirmation hearings that focus on verifying personnel and policies to overcome the crisis, rather than obstructing state affairs."

He continued, "We earnestly ask you to stop the political offensives against Prime Minister nominee Kim Minseok, who will serve as the helmsman of the Lee Jae-myung administration. Please keep in mind that overcoming the crisis is not an issue that should divide the ruling and opposition parties."

Earlier that day, President Lee nominated Democratic Party lawmaker Ahn Gyu-baek as Minister of National Defense, Democratic Party lawmaker Jung Dong-young as Minister of Unification, Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Sung-hwan as Minister of Environment, Democratic Party lawmaker Kang Sun-woo as Minister of Gender Equality and Family, and lawmaker Jeon Jae-soo as Minister of Oceans and Fisheries.

In addition, Cho Hyun, former First Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, was nominated as Minister of Foreign Affairs; Bae Kyung-hoon, head of LG AI Research Institute, as Minister of Science and ICT; Kwon Oh-eul, former lawmaker, as Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs; Han Sung-sook, advisor to Naver, as Minister of SMEs and Startups; Kim Young-hoon, former chair of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, as Minister of Employment and Labor; and Yoon Chang-ryul, former First Deputy Chief of the Office for Government Policy Coordination (currently Director of LG Global Strategy Development Institute), as Chief of the Office for Government Policy Coordination. Song Mi-ryeong will remain as Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.

The Presidential Office announced President Lee Jae-myung's ministerial cabinet appointments on the 23rd through a briefing by Chief of Staff Kang Hoon-sik.

From the top row, left to right: Ministerial candidate for the Ministry of Science and ICT, Bae Kyung-hoon; Ministerial candidate for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Cho Hyun; Ministerial candidate for the Ministry of Unification, Jung Dong-young; Ministerial candidate for the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, Kwon Oh-eul; and reappointed Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Song Mi-ryeong.

From the bottom row, left to right: Ministerial candidate for the Ministry of Environment, Kim Sung-hwan; Ministerial candidate for the Ministry of Employment and Labor, Kim Young-hoon; Ministerial candidate for the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, Kang Sun-woo; Ministerial candidate for the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, Jeon Jae-soo; Ministerial candidate for the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, Han Sung-sook; and Yoon Chang-ryul, appointed Director of LG Global Strategy Development Institute and Chief of the Office for Government Policy Coordination.

Photo by Yonhap News