Presidential office introduces 3rd NSO deputy

Chang Ho-jin, director of the National Security Office, attends a Cabinet meeting held at the presidential office in Seoul Tuesday. (Pool photo provided by Yonhap)

A legal revision approved by South Korea's Cabinet on Tuesday would allow the presidential National Security Office to create a new deputy director position to be tasked with economic security and technological supremacy in the face of frequent industrial supply chain disruptions.

As a result of the reorganization, the newly appointed deputy director of the NSO will be dedicated to stabilizing the supply chain, handling matters related to nuclear power plant exports and minimizing impacts from export controls, as well as protecting industrial technologies and ensuring cybersecurity. The changes will be effective from Thursday.

The presidential office said in a statement that the decision is meant to address complex security crises, inspired by the United States establishment of deputy national security advisers for international economics and cyber and emerging technologies, respectively.

Yoon's office, however, did not disclose the appointee of the new position on Tuesday. Wang Yun-jong, presidential secretary for economic security, is reportedly a strong candidate for the new position.

The announcement comes a week after Yoon appointed Chang Ho-jin, formerly first vice minister of foreign affairs, as the director of national security.

In December, Yoon's office pledged to add an NSO deputy director dedicated to economic security. The NSO currently has two deputy directors -- one dedicated to international affairs and the other focusing on national defense.

By Son Ji-hyoung(consnow@heraldcorp.com)