Seoul: President Lee Jae-myung has made significant appointments by naming vice ministers of finance, foreign affairs, and industry, along with the nation's chief trade negotiator, as announced by the presidential office on Tuesday. This strategic move comes ahead of Lee's diplomatic debut at the Group of Seven (G7) summit in Canada next week.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Lee Hyoung-il, the commissioner of Statistics Korea, has been appointed as the first vice finance minister, while Lim Ki-keun, the administrator of the Public Procurement Service, will serve as the second vice finance minister. Yeo Han-koo, who played a pivotal role as trade minister in the Moon Jae-in administration, will take on the role of chief trade negotiator.
Further strengthening the foreign affairs team, Park Yoon-joo, currently serving as a minister at South Korea's mission to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, has been appointed as the first vice foreign minister. Meanwhile, Kim Jina, a professor at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, will serve as the second vice foreign minister.
Moon Shin-hak, recognized for his leadership in the nuclear phase-out policy during the Moon administration, has been selected as the first vice minister of industry. The presidential office emphasized that these appointments underscore President Lee's focus on reviving the economy and engaging in high-level diplomacy.
Presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung noted, "The appointments focused on naming experts in the economic and industrial sectors to swiftly address the economic crisis." She further added that the new lineup aims to safeguard national interests at the upcoming G7 summit.
Although President Lee has not yet nominated ministers following his election victory on June 3, the process of forming a new Cabinet is underway. Ministerial nominees will undergo parliamentary confirmation hearings, which are expected to take several weeks. Currently, Kim Min-seok, who led Lee's election campaign, has been nominated as prime minister.