Lee Doohee Appointed Vice Minister of National Defense, Lee Seuran Named First Vice Minister of Health and Welfare

President Yoon Suk Yeol's office has appointed Lee Doohee, Commander of the Army Missile Strategy Command, as the new Vice Minister of National Defense. Lee Seuran, Director-General of Social Welfare Policy, has been named First Vice Minister of Health and Welfare; Keum Hanseung, President of the National Institute of Environmental Research, has been appointed Vice Minister of Environment; and Kwon Changjun, Director-General for Planning and Coordination at the Ministry of Employment and Labor, will serve as Vice Minister of Employment and Labor. Nam Dongil, Standing Commissioner of the Fair Trade Commission, has been selected as Vice Chairperson of the Fair Trade Commission.

On June 26, spokesperson Kang Yujeong held a briefing to announce these appointments. Regarding Lee Doohee, the new Vice Minister of National Defense, Kang said, "Commander Lee is a defense expert with experience in both field operations and policy departments, possessing gentle leadership and strong communication skills." Kang further evaluated him as "the right person to respond to the evolving battlefield environment and to secure comprehensive deterrence capabilities based on the South Korea-U.S. alliance." She added, "He is also highly regarded for his ability to drive innovation in defense operations by integrating artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced science and technology."

For Lee Seuran, appointed as First Vice Minister of Health and Welfare, Kang emphasized, "She is a leading expert on pension systems." Kang continued, "In addition to her expertise in pensions, she has demonstrated professionalism in various fields, including the Medical Policy Team and the Health Policy Bureau. She is considered the right person to realize the President's philosophy of establishing a strong social safety net that protects people in times of crisis."

Kang highlighted that Kwon Changjun, Vice Minister of Employment and Labor, conducted an unprecedented large-scale interview survey to improve the labor environment, noting, "He is known for his proactive approach to work." Kang also mentioned that Keum Hanseung, Vice Minister of Environment, has held key positions at the ministry, including Director-General for Climate and Carbon Policy, Director-General for Climate Change Policy, and Director-General for Policy Planning.

Kang also described Nam Dongil, Vice Chairperson of the Fair Trade Commission, as "the right person to establish fair trade order."

Kang concluded, "Today's appointments have been made to select individuals who will work closely with each ministry's ministers and take responsibility for detailed tasks of the Yoon administration, including defense reform, expansion of the social safety net, response to climate change, and strengthening of labor rights."