Yoon's reshuffle continues with four new vice ministers

Kim Yoon-sang, administrator of the Public Procurement Service, was named the new second vice minister of economy and finance, the presidential office announced.

From left, Kim Yoon-sang, Shin Young-sook, Jin Hyun-hwan, Song Myeong-dal, Lim Ki-keun and Son Young-taek [PRESIDENTIAL OFFICE]

President Yoon Suk Yeol named four new vice ministers, including for finance and gender equality, Wednesday as part of a more extensive reshuffle that has been ongoing ahead of next April's general elections.

Kim Yoon-sang, administrator of the Public Procurement Service, was named the new second vice minister of economy and finance, the presidential office announced.

He was described as an "orthodox financial bureaucrat who has been in charge of fiscal and budget policies for a long time and has demonstrated excellent work capabilities," the office said in a statement.

It added that based on his financial expertise and extensive policy experience, he will carry out economic tasks such as fair distribution of national resources, improvement of fiscal soundness and support for the people's livelihood economy "without a hitch."

Kim received his undergraduate degree in business administration and master's degree in public administration at Seoul National University (SNU), and a doctorate in economics at Michigan State University.

Shin Young-sook, a former president of the state-run National Human Resources Development Institute, was tapped as vice minister of gender equality and family.

A graduate of Korea University's Department of English Language and Literature, Shin is a traditional bureaucrat with expertise in human resources management, according to the office.

She was described as "a qualified person who can steadily carry out the reorganization of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family and run it in a stable manner based on expertise in personnel and organizational management and abundant public service experience."

As a campaign pledge, Yoon has called to abolish the Gender Equality Ministry, although his administration has yet to scrap it.

Shin is married to First Vice Minister of Health and Welfare Lee Ki-il, making them a rare vice minister couple.

Jin Hyun-hwan, currently serving as the Land Ministry's housing and land policy director-general, was promoted to second vice minister of land, infrastructure and transport.

He was described as a real estate policy expert who has worked at the ministry for about 30 years, holding key positions dealing with land and housing policies.

The office said he will helm the Yoon administration's policies in the real estate sector, such as increasing housing supply and strengthening housing stability. He received an undergraduate degree in economics at Yonsei University.

Song Myeong-dal, a deputy minister for the Marine Policy Office at the Oceans Ministry, was named as vice minister of oceans and fisheries.

He was described as possessing "excellent planning skills" and being well-versed in maritime policy, port logistics and fisheries after holding key positions at the ministry for years, where he has also been recognized for his ability and character.

He majored in politics at SNU.

Lim Ki-keun, a financial management official at the Finance Ministry, was named as administrator of the Public Procurement Service, replacing Kim.

Son Young-taek was named as the prime minister's new chief of staff after working as a civil affairs aide in his Secretariat.

The latest appointments come with Yoon replacing around half his Cabinet in recent weeks as his close aides seek to run in the parliamentary elections set to take place in just over four months, and he focuses on finding figures suitable to carry out his major policy tasks and reforms as he enters his third year in office.

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