Korea’s Yoon names new unification minister in cabinet reshuffle

Kim Yung-ho, a professor of political science and diplomacy at Sungshin Women’s University who was nominated for the new unification minister, greets at the briefing room of the presidential office building in Yongsan, Seoul on June 29. [Photo by Yonhap]

President Yoon Suk Yeol on Thursday named a new unification minister and an Olympic weightlifting gold medalist for vice culture minister in a reshuffle also affecting one other ministerial post and 11 other vice-ministerial posts, his chief of staff said during a press briefing.

Kim Yung-ho, a professor of political science and diplomacy at Sungshin Women’s University, was tapped to lead the Ministry of Unification. Kim is an expert in international politics and unification policy, having served as unification secretary at the presidential office and ambassador for human rights at the foreign ministry, according to Presidential Chief of Staff Kim Dae-ki.

“The nominee is qualified to pursue a principled North Korea policy and a consistent unification strategy as he has been serving as the chairman of the Unification Future Planning Committee at the Ministry of Unification,” said the presidential chief of staff.

Kim Hong-il, a lawyer and former chief of the Busan High Prosecutors Office who was appointed as the new chief of the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission, greets at the briefing room of the presidential office building in Yongsan, Seoul, on June 29. [Photo by Yonhap]

Kim Hong-il, a lawyer and former chief of the Busan High Prosecutors Office, was named chief of the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission, a ministerial post. The presidential chief of staff said that Kim is well versed in legal theory and has extensive practical experience as he has been working as a prosecutor and lawyer for nearly 40 years.

“With his strong personality and rational leadership, he can quickly normalize the function and status of the commission as an anti-corruption and integrity supervisory agency,” Kim said.

Meanwhile, the president postponed replacing the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Energy and was excluded from today’s announcement.

Kim Wan-sub, chief of the budget office of the Ministry of Economy and Finance, was named second vice finance minister, while Cho Seong-kyung, presidential secretary for science and technology, was named first vice minister of the Ministry of Science and ICT.

Oh Young-ju, a seasoned diplomat and ambassador to Vietnam, was named second vice foreign minister, a first for a woman, while Ambassador to Thailand Moon Seoung-hyun was named vice unification minister.

Jang Mi-ran, professor of physical education at Yong In University [Photo by Yonhap]

Jang Mi-ran, winner of the 2008 Olympic gold in the women’s over 75-kilogram category in weightlifting and professor of physical education at Yong In University, was named second vice minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

Han Hoon, chief of Statistics Korea, was tapped for vice minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, while Lim Sang-jun, presidential secretary for national agenda, was named vice minister of Environment.

Yoon also picked Lee Sung-hee, a researcher at the Korea Labor Institute, for vice minister of Employment and Labor, and Kim Oh-jin, presidential secretary for general affairs, for first vice minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. Baek Won-kug, presidential secretary for land, infrastructure, and transport, was named its second vice minister.

Meanwhile, Park Sung-hoon, presidential secretary for national planning, was named vice minister of Oceans and Fisheries, while Oh Kee-woong, planning and coordination chief at the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, was named its vice minister. Kim Chae-hwan, a former professor of Seoul Cyber University, as president of the National Human Resources Development Institute.