Presidential Office Appoints Five Deputy Ministers Including Lee Jin Soo as Deputy Minister of Justice

Presidential Office Appoints Five Deputy Ministers on the 29th
Lee Jin Soo, Director of Criminal Affairs at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, Named Deputy Minister of Justice
"General Criminal Affairs Prosecutor Tasked with Restoring the Prosecution's Mission"

President Lee Jae Myung appointed five deputy ministers on the 29th. From the left, Lee Jin Soo, Deputy Minister of Justice; Ryu Je Myung, 2nd Deputy Minister of Science and ICT; Lee Ho Hyun, 2nd Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy; Lee Hyung Hoon, 2nd Deputy Minister of Health and Welfare; and Lee Sang Kyung, 1st Deputy Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. Photo by Presidential Office

On the 29th, President Lee Jae Myung appointed deputy ministers for five ministries, including Lee Jin Soo as the new Deputy Minister of Justice.

According to a written briefing by Kang Yoo Jung, spokesperson for the Presidential Office, Lee Jin Soo, Director of the Criminal Affairs Department at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, was appointed as Deputy Minister of Justice. Ryu Je Myung, Director of Network Policy at the Ministry of Science and ICT, was named the 2nd Deputy Minister of Science and ICT; Lee Ho Hyun, Director of Energy Policy at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, was appointed the 2nd Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy; Lee Hyung Hoon, President of the Korea Public Tissue Bank, was appointed the 2nd Deputy Minister of Health and Welfare; and Lee Sang Kyung, Professor at the Department of Urban Planning and Landscape Architecture at Gachon University, was appointed the 1st Deputy Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.

Spokesperson Kang stated, "Deputy Minister Lee Jin Soo is recognized as a prosecutor with a background in general criminal affairs, not special investigations, and is well aware of the challenges faced by the Criminal Affairs Department, where most prosecutors work." Kang added, "As an expert in investigations related to crimes affecting people's daily lives, he has been tasked with restoring the prosecution's original mission of upholding justice and human rights and protecting neighbors and communities from crime."

Ryu Je Myung, the new 2nd Deputy Minister, has held key positions in the Ministry of Science and ICT, including Director of AI-Based Policy and Director of Network Policy. He will now work closely with the Minister of Science and ICT, who comes from the private sector, and the Chief of AI Future Planning, to lead the ministry's agenda on artificial intelligence (AI) policy. Kang explained, "He is recognized for his expertise in science and technology and has been highly rated for his outstanding drive in executing tasks."

Lee Ho Hyun, the new 2nd Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy, is regarded as an expert in the energy sector, with experience in expanding renewable energy, energy mix, and developing new energy technologies. Kang stated that Lee is considered a talent with a strong understanding of future industry development, such as semiconductors and AI data centers, as well as the President's 'Energy Expressway' pledge. Within the ministry, he was previously selected as the number one executive people want to work with.

Kang explained that Lee Hyung Hoon, the new 2nd Deputy Minister of Health and Welfare, is recognized for his ability to mediate conflict and his exemplary leadership. Kang said, "He has a deep understanding of the overall health and welfare sector and is known for his meticulous planning ability, which has led to high evaluations of his problem-solving skills." Kang added, "He is considered the right person to quickly resolve the medical crisis and to lead the recovery and normalization of the health sector based on his thorough planning."

Kang continued, "Lee Sang Kyung, the new 1st Deputy Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, is a prominent real estate reform advocate who has strongly called for blocking unearned income from real estate and recouping development gains." Kang introduced, "He has consistently advocated for a paradigm shift in housing policy, emphasizing the expansion of customized public housing and recognizing housing as a right rather than an asset."

Kang emphasized, "This round of appointments focused on individuals who will lead Korea's transformation at a critical turning point." Kang added, "With these appointments, we will drive changes in power institutions and devote all efforts to advancing AI, energy, and the pharmaceutical and bio industries."