Lee Jae-myung Names Six Ministerial Picks in Reshuffle, Recasts AI and Political Team

President Lee Jae-myung on Aug. 30 nominated new ministers for six posts covering the economy, justice and defense, and also reshuffled senior presidential staff and special adviser roles. Lee Hyeong-il, the first vice finance minister, was tapped as deputy prime minister for economic affairs and finance minister. Kim Seung-won, a lawmaker from the Democratic Party, was nominated as justice minister.

Presidential Chief of Staff Kang Hoon-sik announced the changes at a briefing on Aug. 30.

Kang Shin-cheol, a former deputy commander of the Combined Forces Command, was nominated as defense minister. Hong Ji-seon, the second vice land minister, was named as the nominee for land, infrastructure and transport minister.

Lee So-young, also a Democratic Party lawmaker, was nominated as minister of SMEs and Startups. Yong Hye-in, a lawmaker from the Basic Income Party, was nominated as minister of gender equality and family.

Lee also replaced some members of his presidential staff. Lee Hae-min, a lawmaker from the Rebuilding Korea Party, was appointed senior presidential secretary for AI future planning. Lee Won-joo, a director at the Ministry of Climate and Environment, was named presidential aide for megaprojects.

Former AI secretary Ha Jung-woo will become vice chair of the National AI Strategy Committee. Former South Gyeongsang Governor Kim Kyoung-soo was appointed special political adviser to the president.

The reshuffle replaced the heads of key economic, legal and security ministries while also revamping the administration's AI, industrial policy and political affairs team.