"Competence, Unity, and Balance": Cabinet Appointments Finalized for 17 Ministries

Kang Hunsik, Chief of Staff to the President, is announcing additional ministerial appointments on the 29th at the Presidential Office building in Yongsan, Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News

The appointment of ministers for 17 government ministries by President Lee Jaemyung is being evaluated as a reflection of his state philosophy of "competence, unity, and balance," grounded in pragmatism. It is seen as the formation of the first cabinet with individuals who can both minimize any administrative vacuum and realize the administration's policy direction.

Notably, at the beginning of his term, President Lee appointed eight members of the Democratic Party of Korea, including the nominee for Prime Minister, to key cabinet positions to strengthen his policy drive. Those included in the cabinet are Kim Minseok (Prime Minister), Jung Sungho (Minister of Justice), Yoon Hojoong (Minister of the Interior and Safety), Ahn Kyubaek (Minister of National Defense), Kim Sunghwan (Minister of Environment), Kang Sunwoo (Minister of Gender Equality and Family), Jun Jaesoo (Minister of Oceans and Fisheries), and Chung Dongyoung (Minister of Unification).

The appointment of private sector experts also drew attention. Bae Kyunghoon, the nominee for Minister of Science and ICT, is a former head of LG's Artificial Intelligence (AI) Research Institute and is recognized for his expertise in AI as well as his experience spanning both industry and academia. Han Seongsook, the nominee for Minister of SMEs and Startups, is a pioneer in the IT industry who served as CEO of Naver and has extensive experience in the platform industry and digital economy. Kim Junggwan, the nominee for Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy, is a former official at the Ministry of Economy and Finance who joined Doosan in 2018 and served as CEO of Doosan Enerbility, making him a figure with a deep understanding of the real economy.

The proportion of female ministerial nominees has also increased. While Song Miryung remains as Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, five women have been nominated as ministers for the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Ministry of Education, and Ministry of SMEs and Startups. In the initial cabinet of the Yoon Sukyeol administration, there were three women. Chung Eunkyung, the nominee for Minister of Health and Welfare, is a physician and health administration expert who led the response to COVID-19 as Director of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency. She is considered well-suited to address issues such as the expansion of medical school admissions and the challenges of low birth rates and an aging population. Lee Jinsook, the nominee for Minister of Education, is a former professor who served as president of Chungnam National University.

There were also bold appointments that disregarded traditional backgrounds. Kim Younghoon, the nominee for Minister of Employment and Labor, is a former labor activist who served as chairman of the Korean Railway Workers' Union and the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions. Kwon Oeul, the nominee for Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, is a former member of the conservative Grand National Party (predecessor to the People Power Party). Oh Youkyoung, the head of the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, was appointed during the Yoon Sukyeol administration but has been retained for her competence and policy continuity. The appointment of Kim Kyungsoo, former Governor of South Gyeongsang Province and a former presidential election rival, as Chairperson of the Presidential Committee for Balanced National Development, a ministerial-level position, is also a notable choice.

Of the government's 19 ministries, two?namely, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism?have yet to see appointments. A presidential office official stated, "The verification process is underway to find the optimal candidates for these two ministries, and the final appointments will be completed soon."