Seoul: Kwon Oh-eul has been nominated as the first veterans minister under President Lee Jae Myung. Kwon is a seasoned politician with a background in the opposition conservative bloc, marking a significant appointment in the current administration.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Kwon began his political journey after working at the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry. He entered the political arena at the age of 34 by securing a seat at the provincial council of North Gyeongsang Province in 1991, where he became its youngest member. His political career took a notable turn in 1996 when he was elected to the national parliament representing Andong, a conservative stronghold, as a liberal candidate. His election was significant due to his young age and his position as the only liberal representative from the region.
Kwon's political trajectory continued as he joined the conservative Grand National Party in 1997, securing parliamentary seats in 2000 and 2005. He held vital roles, including chair of the parliamentary agriculture, oceans and fisheries committee from 2006 to 2008, and later as the National Assembly's secretary general from 2010 to 2011.
Despite setbacks in securing nominations for the 2012 and 2015 elections, Kwon remained politically active. He left the conservative party to participate in founding the Bareun Party, a minor conservative group, and subsequently joined President Lee's campaign, advocating for centrist and conservative agendas within the Democratic Party.