Possibility of Follow-up Cabinet Appointments on the 29th
Practical Leaders Tapped to Drive Prosecutorial Reform
Bong Wook Likely to Be Appointed as New Senior Presidential Secretary for Civil Affairs
President Lee Jaemyung is reportedly planning to appoint Seongho Jung, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, as Minister of Justice, and Hojung Yoon, also of the Democratic Party of Korea, as Minister of the Interior and Safety as part of his follow-up cabinet appointments. According to sources in the ruling party, the results of some ministerial-level appointments, including the Ministers of Justice and Interior and Safety, are expected to be announced as early as the 29th.
Seongho Jung, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, is being interviewed by Asia Economy at the National Assembly on the 17th. 2025.6.17 Photo by Hyunmin Kim
Jung is a classmate of President Lee at the Judicial Research and Training Institute (18th class) and has maintained a political and legal relationship with him for nearly 40 years. He has served five terms as a member of the National Assembly, including as chair of the Special Committee on Judicial Reform, chair of the Special Committee on Criminal Justice System Reform, and chair of the Special Committee on Budget and Accounts. Known for his rational and moderate stance, he has also been regarded as a mediator within the party. Having accompanied President Lee in all three of his presidential campaigns and being called an 'original pro-Myung' as a member of the so-called 'Group of Seven,' Jung is expected to play a key role in prosecutorial reform as the head of the Ministry of Justice.
It is also possible that the nominee for Minister of the Interior and Safety will be announced at the same time. Among those previously mentioned for the post, Hojung Yoon and Haesik Lee, a two-term pro-Myung lawmaker, are being discussed. Yoon, who was also considered for the positions of Minister of Economy and Finance and Minister of Justice, is a five-term senior lawmaker known as a party strategist, having served as chair of the National Assembly Steering Committee, chair of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, and floor leader. During the last presidential election, he served as the chief campaign manager of the Central Election Countermeasures Committee, overseeing overall campaign strategy and solidifying a relationship of trust with President Lee.
Bong Wook, former Deputy Prosecutor General, is being mentioned as the new Senior Presidential Secretary for Civil Affairs, succeeding Oh Gwangsu, who resigned amid allegations of holding assets under borrowed names. Bong is one year junior to President Lee at the Judicial Research and Training Institute and is known as a planning expert within the prosecution. He is currently a lawyer at Kim & Chang. In addition, Jinsoo Lee, a chief prosecutor with a career focused on the criminal affairs division, is reportedly being considered for Vice Minister of Justice.
The Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of the Interior and Safety are directly linked to structural reforms such as the adjustment of investigative powers, police oversight, and the reorganization of intelligence agencies. By placing key confidants who enjoy President Lee's strong trust in charge of these ministries, the administration appears intent on pursuing reforms consistently. Meanwhile, there is also speculation that the new Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance may be announced on the same day. The candidates being discussed for Minister of Economy and Finance include former Minister for Government Policy Coordination Yooncheol Koo, former Senior Presidential Secretary for Policy Hoseung Lee, and former First Vice Minister of Economy and Finance Eogwon Lee.
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