President Lee Nominates Choi Kyojin for Education, Won Minkyoung for Gender Equality, Joo Byungki for Fair Trade, and Lee Eokwon for Financial Services Chiefs

Jungin Cha Appointed as Chairperson of the National Education Commission
Ho Kim Named Chairperson of the Special Committee on Agriculture, Fisheries, and Rural Affairs

President Lee Jaemyung has nominated candidates for the positions of Minister of Education, Minister of Gender Equality and Family, Chairperson of the Fair Trade Commission, and Chairperson of the Financial Services Commission. Additionally, he has appointed the Chairperson of the National Education Commission under the President and has also designated the Chairperson of the Special Committee on Agriculture, Fisheries, and Rural Affairs.

Yonhap News

On August 13, Kang Hoonshik, Chief Presidential Secretary, announced during a briefing at the Yongsan Presidential Office that President Lee had made appointments for these six positions. For Minister of Education, President Lee nominated Kyojin Choi, Superintendent of the Sejong City Office of Education.

Chief Secretary Kang stated, "Nominee Choi is a widely recognized expert who has devoted over 40 years to education, from serving as a middle school teacher to superintendent. He has also served as President of the National Council of Provincial and Metropolitan Superintendents of Education and as an advisor to the Presidential Committee for Balanced National Development, which has given him a deep understanding of regional balance. Based on his extensive experience covering elementary, middle, high school, and higher education, he will implement President Lee's pledges, such as establishing 10 Seoul National University-level institutions."

For Minister of Gender Equality and Family, lawyer Won Minkyoung was selected. Nominee Won has served as Chairperson of the Women’s Human Rights Commission and as a gender equality advisor to the National Assembly, and has worked to protect the rights of women and other socially disadvantaged groups. Chief Secretary Kang said, "With the understanding that gender conflict is an issue our society must address, she will embody President Lee's commitment to gender equality by fostering integration and inclusiveness to create a gender-equal Korea."

For Chairperson of the Fair Trade Commission, Byungki Joo, Professor of Economics at Seoul National University, was nominated. Nominee Joo is a scholar who has led the Center for Research on Distributive Justice and has focused his research on resolving income inequality and establishing a fair economic system. Chief Secretary Kang described him as "a candidate for the economic regulatory authority who will meticulously establish the administration’s philosophy of eradicating chronic unfair practices such as subcontracting abuses, collusion, and internal transactions, and of creating a fair market order."

For Chairperson of the Financial Services Commission, Okwon Lee, Distinguished Professor at Seoul National University, was nominated. Nominee Lee is a financial expert who previously served as First Vice Minister of the Ministry of Economy and Finance and is currently an invited research fellow at the Korea Capital Market Institute. Chief Secretary Kang said, "Based on his experience as an economic official, he will faithfully implement government policies aimed at alleviating the burdens of ordinary citizens and revitalizing the capital market."

President Lee also appointed Jungin Cha, Professor at Pusan National University, as Chairperson of the National Education Commission, and Ho Kim, Professor of Environmental and Resource Economics at Dankook University, as Chairperson of the Special Committee on Agriculture, Fisheries, and Rural Affairs. Chief Secretary Kang stated, "Nominee Cha possesses both the expertise gained as President of the Council of National Flagship University Presidents and President of Pusan National University, as well as the sensitivity of a human rights lawyer. He will develop sound policies so that our public education system can become both professional and compassionate." Nominee Cha’s term will begin in September.

Nominee Kim previously served as Standing Chairperson of the Citizens’ Coalition for Economic Justice. Chief Secretary Kang explained, "With a doctorate in agricultural economics, he has conducted active research. In particular, he has worked in the field to drive innovation in the three agricultural sectors: agriculture, rural communities, and fisheries. He will provide practical advice based on field experience to fulfill President Lee’s pledge to create rural areas where everyone wants to live."

Meanwhile, Chief Secretary Kang stated, "President Lee has repeatedly emphasized that the only limitation of our government is imagination," adding, "He urged the administration to boldly tackle social challenges with creative imagination and swift action, rather than settling for the status quo." He continued, "In particular, the President stressed that the more persistent issues-such as education, gender equality, entrenched unfair practices, and interest profiteering-require the government to listen carefully to the opinions of the public, who are the ultimate recipients of these policies, and to boldly pursue uncharted paths."