Presidential Office Says Cabinet Reshuffle Was Based Solely on Merit, Including Opposition Picks

South Korea’s presidential office said the sole criterion for the cabinet reshuffle and senior staff appointments announced on Aug. 30 was competence. It said the inclusion of figures from opposition parties as well as the ruling camp reflected a decision to prioritize expertise and execution over political affiliation.

Chief of Staff Kang Hoon-sik told a briefing at the presidential press center that the administration reviewed candidates based on their ability to deliver tangible changes the public can feel more quickly. It also sought to recruit as many capable opposition figures as possible if they were willing to serve.

The appointments included politicians not only from the Democratic Party but also from the Rebuilding Korea Party and the Basic Income Party. The presidential office cited the nominees’ legislative records and policy experience in their respective fields as the main reasons for their selection.

Kang said justice minister nominee Kim Seung-won was valued for his work on the National Assembly’s Legislation and Judiciary Committee and his understanding of the criminal justice system. Lee So-young, nominee for SMEs and Startups Minister, was chosen in part for her experience supporting startups and developing policy for small business owners. Gender Equality and Family Minister nominee Yong Hye-in was selected for her sustained focus on issues including digital sex crimes and discrimination.

Kang pushed back on suggestions that the replacement of the deputy prime minister for economic affairs was a shake-up tied to recent moves in the property and stock markets. The new nominee was not chosen because of any assessment of the outgoing minister. Instead, Kang cited nominee Lee Hyoung-il’s execution skills, including his role in leading the introduction of a maximum oil-price system during the response to high energy prices.

Asked whether the reappointment of former presidential AI future planning secretary Ha Jung-woo as vice chair of the National AI Strategy Committee could prompt criticism of a revolving-door appointment, Kang again stressed expertise. He said Ha is an AI specialist recognized in South Korea and abroad who also took part directly in launching the committee. The decision, he added, followed a broad review of candidates with proven ability and expertise.

On questions about whether defense minister nominee Kang Shin-chul was involved in the emergency martial law episode, Kang said he understood that neither the Constitution Respect Task Force nor the Defense Ministry audit had found any such involvement. A successor to Kang, who is currently South Korea’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia, will be chosen after the National Assembly’s confirmation hearing process.

The presidential office said the personnel changes are intended to energize the economy and livelihoods while speeding policy implementation in future industries such as artificial intelligence. The goal of the reshuffle is to deliver changes the public can feel through new leadership with dynamism and expertise, Kang said.