Seoul: President Lee Jae Myung has finalized the nomination of his Cabinet by appointing a lawmaker from the ruling Democratic Party as land minister and the head of a travel platform as culture minister.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Rep. Kim Yun-duk, a three-term lawmaker from the ruling Democratic Party, has been chosen to lead the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. Kim's background includes service on the National Assembly's Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee, positioning him to tackle real estate issues with a focus on the needs of ordinary citizens. Kang Hoon-sik, the presidential chief of staff, noted that Kim is expected to implement President Lee's pragmatic approach to housing, which emphasizes real demand and market principles while opposing speculative practices.
Additionally, Chae Hwi-young, the chief executive of travel platform Nol Universe, has been nominated as the minister of culture, sports, and tourism. Nol Universe, formed in 2024 through the merger of Yanolja Platform and Interpark Triple, offers a wide range of travel and leisure services. Chae's previous roles include leading Interpark Triple and serving as CEO of NHN, an online service provider. His experience in the private sector and innovative outlook align with the president's cultural industry goals, as highlighted by Kang.
While Cabinet appointments are subject to parliamentary hearings by law, they do not require parliamentary approval for the appointments to be finalized.