President Lee unveils historic civilian defense minister pick on Monday, reshaping South Korea’s Cabinet with 11 nominations. This marked the first such announcement since Lee took office earlier this month. Among the appointees, five are current lawmakers from the ruling Democratic Party. Additionally, three nominees bring private sector experience to their new roles. Meanwhile, one current minister will stay on to ensure continuity.
Notably, President Lee unveils historic civilian defense minister pick with the nomination of Rep. Ahn Gyu-back. Ahn, a five-term lawmaker, would be the first civilian defense minister in over six decades. His appointment would mark a shift away from a military-dominated post held by active-duty officers since 1961. If approved, Ahn’s leadership could reshape South Korea’s defense policies. Consequently, lawmakers will now debate and vote on this historic choice.
In addition, Lee selected seasoned politician Rep. Chung Dong-young for unification minister. Chung previously held this role under former President Roh Moo-hyun. Moreover, Cho Hyun, a former UN ambassador, will take charge of foreign affairs. Labor affairs will now fall under Kim Young-hoon, an experienced union leader and railway driver. This blend of political and professional backgrounds aims to diversify the Cabinet.
Furthermore, three-term lawmaker Kim Sung-whan will head the Environment Ministry. Meanwhile, Chun Jae-soo has been tapped to lead oceans policy. Similarly, Rep. Kang Sun-woo, a two-term lawmaker, will oversee gender equality initiatives. This aligns with Lee’s pledge to expand equal opportunity programs. Overall, the appointments reflect the administration’s focus on progressive social policies.
In the tech and business arena, President Lee unveils historic civilian defense minister pick alongside other private sector appointees. Bae Kyung-hoon of LG AI Research will become science minister. Additionally, Han Seong-sook, former CEO of Naver, will lead SMEs and startups. Moreover, Yoon Chang-ryul, an LG strategist, will coordinate government policy. These nominations signal a push toward innovation and modern governance.
Lee’s Cabinet also prioritizes unity. Agriculture Minister Song Mi-ryung will remain in her role. Additionally, ex-conservative lawmaker Kwon Oh-eul will head the veterans’ ministry. This bipartisan gesture aims to bridge political divides. As a result, Lee hopes the Cabinet can respond quickly to current crises. The ongoing Middle East conflict adds urgency to this reshuffle.
Soon, lawmakers will hold confirmation hearings for all nominees except Song. President Lee urged a swift process to stabilise governance. Importantly, the ruling Democratic Party holds a majority in parliament. This increases the likelihood of approval for Lee’s picks. Now, South Korea watches closely as the new Cabinet takes shape.
