Yoon names presidential secretary for unification affairs as new spokesperson

President Yoon Suk Yeol on Sunday appointed Kim Soo-kyung, presidential secretary for unification affairs, as his new spokesperson.

Kim Soo-kyung, presidential secretary for unification affairs, speaks at a press briefing at the Yongsan presidential office after her appointment as new presidential spokesperson on Sunday. [YONHAP]

President Yoon Suk Yeol on Sunday appointed Kim Soo-kyung, presidential secretary for unification affairs, as his new spokesperson.

Kim, a former reporter for the Dong-A Ilbo newspaper, will succeed Lee Do-woon, who was recently promoted to replace Kim Eun-hye as senior presidential secretary for public relations.

In a press briefing on Sunday, Lee said that Kim, based on her career as a journalist in the early 2000s and various experiences in academia and training students, is expected to “become an excellent communication partner with the media."

He noted that through her appearances in broadcasts has “expressed many reasonable opinions on various political and social issues.”

“I feel a weight on my shoulders because I know very well how difficult and important this position is,” Kim told reporters at the Yongsan presidential office.

"There will be many complex and difficult situations in national affairs in the future,” she said. “I will try to do my best to explain national issues in an easy-to-understand manner from the people’s perspective.”

Kim received her undergraduate degree at Seoul National University's Department of Linguistics and received a doctorate in sociology at Stanford University.

Ahead of her appointment as a presidential secretary last year, she worked as an assistant professor of social welfare at Hanshin University. She also previously worked as a research professor at Korea University and as a research fellow for the state-run Korea Institute for National Unification.

She was born in 1976, making her one of the few younger and female presidential aides in the administration.

Kim will begin her official duties as new presidential spokesperson on Monday.

Yoon also approved the appointment of Cho Sang-myeong, presidential secretary for social integration, as chief of the situation room for state affairs.

Cho, previously served in positions at the Ministry of the Interior and Safety. He also served on former President Lee Myung-bak's presidential transition committee in 2008.

BY SARAH KIM [kim.sarah@joongang.co.kr]