President Lee Presents Letters of Appointment and Commission to Seven Officials, Including Prime Minister Kim Minseok and National Policy Planning Committee Chair Lee Hanju
Only One Month After Inauguration... President Lee Urges, "Handle Urgent Matters with Vice Ministers Even Before Ministers Are Appointed"
"State Affairs Must Be Transparently Disclosed... Public Officials Should Devise Countermeasures and Take Responsibility"
On July 4, President Lee Jaemyung presented the letter of appointment to Prime Minister Kim Minseok and emphasized, "The fate of the nation can change depending on how the Prime Minister performs his duties. Even before the ministers are appointed, please work with the vice ministers to handle urgent matters." In response, Prime Minister Kim replied, "I will become a 'dawn Prime Minister' and further accelerate the pace of government administration."
That morning at the presidential office in Yongsan, President Lee personally delivered letters of appointment and certificates of commission to seven officials: Prime Minister Kim Minseok, National Policy Planning Committee Chair Lee Hanju, Presidential Chief of Staff Kang Hoonshik, National Security Office Chief Wi Sungrak, Policy Office Chief Kim Yongbeom, National Intelligence Service Director Lee Jongseok, and Government Policy Coordination Office Chief Yoon Changryeol. He also presented bouquets to the spouses who attended. This comes one month after his inauguration.
President Lee further stressed, "All processes and procedures in policy discussions and execution must be transparently disclosed. If there are any mistakes or errors in duties, it is the responsibility of public officials to promptly acknowledge them, devise countermeasures, and take responsibility." According to spokesperson Kang Yoojeong, participants joked that the meeting, despite being attended by spouses, felt no different from a work meeting.
During the first month of his presidency, President Lee's appointments have clearly revealed the direction of his administration. In particular, the selection of former lawmaker Kim Minseok as Prime Minister?who is recognized both inside and outside the party for his political acumen and strategic thinking?signals the Lee Jaemyung administration's intention to strengthen communication with the National Assembly and enhance governmental stability.
Additionally, Kang Hoonshik, a former lawmaker known as a communicative politician, was appointed as Presidential Chief of Staff. Kang is regarded as a leading figure among the younger generation within the party and is known for his moderate leadership. Immediately after his appointment, he told reporters, "I will do my utmost to realize President Lee's commitment to communication." This aligns with President Lee's repeatedly emphasized philosophy of 'communication-centered politics' since taking office.
The appointment of Lee Hanju, an economic expert, as National Policy Planning Committee Chair, and Kim Yongbeom, former Vice Minister of Economy and Finance, as Presidential Policy Office Chief, underscores the administration's focus on the people's livelihood and practical policy implementation. Both have been recognized for their extensive careers as economic bureaucrats and their academic expertise. In a situation where economic stability and recovery of livelihoods are urgent, these appointments are seen as efforts to enhance expertise in addressing current issues and to strengthen policy execution capabilities.
In the diplomatic and security sectors, the appointments of National Security Office Chief Wi Sungrak and National Intelligence Service Director Lee Jongseok reflect President Lee's continued emphasis on a 'national interest-centered, pragmatic diplomacy.' Wi Sungrak, a former diplomat, is regarded as someone capable of making cool-headed judgments on diplomatic and security issues, while Lee Jongseok is expected to pursue pragmatic North Korea policies as an expert on peace on the Korean Peninsula and inter-Korean relations. Yoon Changryeol, as Government Policy Coordination Office Chief, is also expected to effectively coordinate government policies and manage state affairs smoothly. Yoon, an economic bureaucrat with outstanding administrative abilities, is considered well-suited to efficiently operate government organizations and enhance their effectiveness.
Through these appointments, President Lee has presented the public with a clear blueprint for political stability based on unity and cooperation, responsible state management by talented and professional individuals, and the achievement of practical and concrete results. Now, the fully launched Lee Jaemyung administration faces the task of delivering tangible policy outcomes that meet the expectations of the people.
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