Lee Hyehoon Nominated as Planning Minister: "Heavy Responsibility... No Faction or Ideology in the Economy"

Lee Hyehoon, Ministerial Candidate for the Ministry of Planning and Budget./Photo by Dongju Yoon doso7@

Lee Hyehoon, the ministerial candidate for the Ministry of Planning and Budget, stated on December 28, "At a time when conflict and division are hindering the governance of the Republic of Korea more than ever before, I feel a heavy sense of responsibility and will dedicate everything I have studied and accumulated throughout my life to revitalizing the economy and achieving national unity."

Immediately after her nomination on this day, Lee issued a statement saying, "I deeply agree with President Lee Jaemyung's policy of not disadvantaging anyone due to political affiliation and appointing the right person regardless of their background," adding, "I will diligently prepare for the upcoming confirmation hearing."

Lee emphasized, "It has long been my belief that solving economic and livelihood issues requires cooperation beyond political factions or ideologies," and continued, "The Lee Jaemyung administration's national goal of achieving both growth and welfare, as well as realizing sustainable growth, aligns perfectly with my own views as someone who has devoted a lifetime to studying and contemplating economics."

She added, "As the Ministry of Planning and Budget is the dedicated department responsible for planning the nation's future and for carrying out the Lee Jaemyung administration's goal of achieving both welfare and growth, as well as sustainable development, I will do my utmost to faithfully fulfill this role."

On this day, President Lee Jaemyung nominated former lawmaker Lee, who served three terms in the National Assembly under the People Power Party's predecessors-the Grand National Party, Saenuri Party, and United Future Party-as the ministerial candidate for the Ministry of Planning and Budget, which will be launched on January 2. Given her background in conservative parties, this is considered the most unconventional cabinet appointment since the launch of the Lee Jaemyung administration.

Lee was born in Busan, graduated from Masan Jeil Girls' High School and Seoul National University's Department of Economics, and earned a Ph.D. in Economics from UCLA in the United States. She established her reputation as a policy expert through her experience at the Korea Development Institute (KDI), and as an advisor for the Blue House, the Ministry of Planning and Budget, the Office for Government Policy Coordination, and the Ministry of Health and Welfare.

She made a notable entrance into the National Assembly in 2004 as a female economist candidate for the Grand National Party. She was re-elected in the 18th National Assembly election in 2008, and returned to the National Assembly in 2016 as a member of the Saenuri Party in the 20th National Assembly election. Her constituency was Seocho-gap in Seoul for all terms. During the impeachment crisis of former President Park Geun-hye, she left the Saenuri Party and participated in the founding of the Bareun Party.

The Presidential Office explained the background of this appointment, stating, "She is highly proficient in both policy and practical affairs," and added, "Based on her philosophy of economic democratization, she has sponsored key legislative amendments such as the Minimum Wage Act and the Interest Rate Limitation Act, and has promoted policies to eradicate unfair trade practices and revitalize the livelihoods of the people."

The office further stated, "Based on her many years of legislative experience, she is considered the right person for the soon-to-be-launched Ministry of Planning and Budget to meticulously establish the nation's mid- to long-term strategies and restore future growth engines."