Jeong Ilyeon Appointed as Chair of the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission;
Song Sanggyo Named to Lead the Truth and Reconciliation Commission
Yoon Kwangil and Jeon Hyunjung Nominated for Election Commission Posts
Namgoong Beom, P
On March 2, President Lee Jaemyung nominated, appointed, and commissioned a total of 11 individuals for high-level government positions, including ministerial posts such as the Ministry of Strategy and Finance and the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, as well as heads of constitutional independent agencies and presidential committees. Park Hongkeun, a member of the National Assembly, was nominated as the inaugural Minister of Strategy and Finance. By appointing both ruling and opposition politicians and former corporate executives to the post of Vice Chairman of the Regulatory Rationalization Committee, which holds prime ministerial rank, President Lee reaffirmed his commitment to a "pragmatic personnel policy."
Lee Guyoun, Senior Presidential Secretary for Public Affairs, stated during a briefing on the same day, "President Lee today nominated, appointed, and commissioned four ministerial-level officials, two heads of constitutionally independent agencies, and five members of presidential committees," confirming the personnel changes.
President Lee nominated Jongwoo Hwang, Chair of International Cooperation at the Korea Maritime Cooperation Center, as the candidate for Minister of Oceans and Fisheries. Secretary Lee described Hwang as an "established public official who has held key positions such as Director General for Planning and Coordination at the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries," and emphasized, "As a native of Busan, he is the right person to lead the era of the Arctic Sea route and to successfully complete the vision of establishing Busan as a 'marine capital.'" It has been 81 days since the post became vacant due to the resignation of former Minister Jeon Jaesoo.
Park Hongkeun, a member of the National Assembly, was nominated as the candidate for Minister of Strategy and Finance. In contrast to the previous nominee, Lee Hyehoon, whose nomination was withdrawn amid various allegations, President Lee selected a close associate with whom he has worked closely for a long time. It has been 36 days since Lee Hyehoon's nomination was withdrawn on January 25. Secretary Lee explained, "As a four-term lawmaker who has chaired both the Special Committee on Budget and Accounts and the Steering Committee in the National Assembly, Park is an expert in national budget policy." He added, "He served as Chair of the Planning Subcommittee of the National Planning Committee, where he outlined the blueprint for the government of national sovereignty, making him the right person to lead government budgeting." During the 2022 presidential election, Park was the chief of staff for President Lee’s campaign, and he was also one of Lee’s closest aides when Lee was the leader of the Democratic Party, serving as the floor leader.
President Lee appointed Jeong Ilyeon, an attorney, as Chairman of the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission. Secretary Lee described Jeong as "a seasoned legal professional who has served as Chief Judge of the Ansan Branch of Suwon District Court and as a presiding judge at Seoul Central District Court," and stated, "He is the right person to quickly normalize the Commission, address public grievances, and realize a corruption-free society."
Sanggyo Song, former Secretary General of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, was appointed Chairperson of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission on Past Issues. Secretary Lee said, "As a legal professional who has served as a member of the Korean Bar Association’s Human Rights Committee and the Prosecution Past Affairs Committee, Song is the right person to normalize the newly launched third-term commission that investigates state violence and human rights violations."
For the constitutionally independent National Election Commission, Kwangil Yoon, a professor at Sookmyung Women's University, and Hyunjeong Jeon, an attorney, were nominated as members. Secretary Lee said of Yoon, "He is an expert who has studied election system reform and is well-suited to ensure fair election management and lead reforms in the election system." Regarding Jeon, Secretary Lee stated, "With over 20 years of experience as a judge, including as a presiding judge at Seoul Central District Court, Jeon is the right person to enhance trust in election management."
For presidential government committees, Namgoong Beom, advisor at S1, former lawmaker Yongjin Park, and Byungtae Lee, honorary professor at KAIST, were appointed as Vice Chairmen of the Regulatory Rationalization Committee. Secretary Lee described Vice Chairman Namgoong as "a management and finance expert who worked at Samsung Electronics for over 30 years before serving as CEO of a security company." Regarding Vice Chairman Park, he said, "He is the right person who has consistently worked to identify unreasonable regulations and promote regulatory reform." On Vice Chairman Lee, Secretary Lee said, "He is an expert in regulatory reform strategy who has been active academically and socially in areas such as technology startups and IT management strategy."
In addition, Gang Namhun, honorary professor at Hanshin University, was appointed as Vice Chairman of the Basic Society Committee. Secretary Lee stated, "As an individual who has studied economic fundamental rights and social equity, he is the right person to design the policy direction for the basic society." Kim Okju, professor and chair of the Department of Medicine at Seoul National University, was appointed Chairperson of the National Bioethics Committee. Secretary Lee explained, "Having served as president of the Korean Society for Bioethics and the Korean Society for Medical History, Kim is the right person to suggest policy directions in bioethics."
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