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 the eight ministers, Kim Kyungsoo, 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.
The appointment and designation ceremony was held at the presidential office in Yongsan on the morning of July 23. 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 the letters of appointment to the ministers, saying, "I look forward to working with you," and presented bouquets to their spouses, congratulating them and taking commemorative photos together. After the group photo with the attendees, President Lee held a separate informal meeting with them.
Presidential spokesperson Kang Yoojung stated in a subsequent briefing, "President Lee mentioned that when public officials work hard, it makes life easier for the people, emphasizing the fundamental attitude required of public servants." Kang added, "To Chairperson Kim Kyungsoo, President Lee stressed the importance of local autonomy for balanced investment, saying that breaking away from the Seoul metropolitan-centered system and increasing local finances and investment are truly essential."
As a result, out of the 19 individuals nominated as ministers for the first cabinet of the Lee Jaemyung administration (excluding Song Miryung, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, who was retained), nine have completed the appointment process so far. President Lee has requested the National Assembly to submit confirmation hearing reports by July 24 for the following ministerial nominees: Kang Sunwoo for Minister of Gender Equality and Family, Ahn Kyubaek for Minister of National Defense, Chung Dongyoung for Minister of Unification, and Kwon Oeul for Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs.
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