President Lee Presents Letters of Appointment to Eight New Ministers: "I Look Forward to Working With You"

Letter of Appointment Also Presented to Kim Kyungsoo, Chairperson of the Presidential Committee for the Era of Local Autonomy
Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Kim Jungkwan Absent Due to U.S. Visit

On July 23, President Lee Jaemyung presented letters of appointment to eight newly appointed ministers. In addition to these eight, Kim Kyungsoo, the chairperson of the Presidential Committee for the Era of Local Autonomy, who holds a ministerial-level position, also attended and received his letter of appointment from President Lee.

Yonhap News

The appointment and commissioning ceremony was held in the morning at the presidential office in Yongsan. Attendees included Minister of Economy and Finance Koo Yooncheol, Minister of Science and ICT Bae Kyunghoon, Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Hyun, Minister of Justice Chung Sungho, Minister of the Interior and Safety Yoon Hojung, Minister of Health and Welfare Chung Eunkyung, Minister of Environment Kim Sunghwan, and Minister of Employment and Labor Kim Younghoon. Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Kim Jungkwan was unable to attend as he departed for the United States that day to negotiate tariffs with the U.S.

President Lee handed out the letters of appointment to the ministers, saying, "I look forward to working with you." He also presented bouquets to their spouses, congratulating them and posing for commemorative photos together. After the group photo session, President Lee held a separate informal meeting with the attendees.

Yonhap News

As of now, out of the 19 individuals nominated as ministers for the first cabinet of the Lee Jaemyung administration (excluding Song Miryung, the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs who was retained), nine have completed the appointment process. President Lee has requested the National Assembly to submit confirmation hearing reports by July 24 for Kang Sunwoo, nominee for Minister of Gender Equality and Family, Ahn Kyubaek, nominee for Minister of National Defense, Chung Dongyoung, nominee for Minister of Unification, and Kwon Oeul, nominee for Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs.