The candidates for ministerial positions in Lee Jae-myung's government and the second appointment of the presidential office

Introduction: The National Will as Read through Greetings

President Lee Jae-myung carried out a large-scale appointment on June 29, 2025, involving six ministerial candidates and two major senior secretaries from the presidential office. This appointment is seen not merely as a replacement, but as a pivotal moment to establish a new lineup aimed at enhancing the execution of key national tasks such as prosecutorial reform, strengthening public healthcare, and promoting balanced development. Individuals with expertise and political sensitivity have been positioned across various ministries, and the reorganization of the presidential office has been reshaped by placing new figures in crucial senior positions, integrating civil affairs and other areas, thereby restructuring the core of government operations.

Characteristics and Significance of Ministerial-Level Candidate Selection

The nominee for Minister of Justice, Jeong Seong-ho, a member of the Democratic Party, is a longtime acquaintance of the President and a colleague from the Judicial Research and Training Institute. He has led legislative efforts for judicial reform for many years. As a politician from the legal field rather than a former prosecutor, his appointment is interpreted as a reflection of the era's demand for depoliticization of legal administration. The nominee for Minister of the Interior and Safety is Yoon Ho-jung, a five-term lawmaker who previously served as the chair of the National Assembly's Judiciary Committee and played a key role in the presidential election campaign committee. The Ministry he will lead plays a central role in adjusting police investigation rights, and substantial coordination of structural reform in investigations is expected alongside prosecutorial reform. Jeong Eun-kyung, the former head of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, nominated as Minister of Health and Welfare, symbolizes COVID-19 prevention while also representing a commitment to strengthening public health. There is a message that maintaining the current policy direction of the Ministry without any shifts will ensure stability. Koo Yoon-cheol, nominated as Minister of Economy and Finance, is an experienced economic bureaucrat well-versed in budget and policy adjustment, identified as a suitable candidate to pursue both fiscal sustainability and policy consistency. Lee Jin-sook, nominated as Minister of Education, is a female scientist who has served as the president of Chonnam National University, delivering a message about nurturing local universities and achieving balanced educational development. Kim Jeong-gwan, nominee for Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy, is a practical leader with extensive experience in the energy industry and export policies, previously serving as president of Doosan Enerbility.

Restructuring of Senior Officials in the Presidential Office

Another noteworthy aspect of this personnel change is the appointment of the chief secretary to the president's office. Bong-wook, the chief secretary for civil affairs, is a former deputy chief prosecutor who is expected to have the capability to effectively coordinate legal and justice-related matters based on a deep understanding of the prosecution. Given that this is a significant appointment for the long-vacant position of chief secretary since the launch of the administration, there is a strong possibility that he will serve as a practical control tower for future prosecution reforms and changes in legal administration. Jeon Seong-hwan, the chief secretary for communication and integration, is an appointee grounded in civil society and local administration, and is regarded as someone who will enhance the communication function of the president's office and contribute to national integration. Particularly at a time when direct collection of citizens' voices and alleviation of social conflicts are required, the role of the integration chief has become politically and policy-wise even more important.

Connecting National Tasks and Appointment Strategies

This appointment is largely structured around two axes: 'trust and professionalism.' The appointments of Jeong Seong-ho, Yoon Ho-jung, and Bong Wook in the Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Interior, and Civil Affairs line are designed to strengthen the momentum for major reform tasks related to prosecutorial reforms and adjustments of investigative powers. Jeong Eun-kyung, Koo Yun-cheol, and Lee Jin-sook are practical appointments with experience in policy implementation and specialized knowledge in their fields, creating a structure that enables the immediate execution of national tasks. Additionally, the appointment of former Governor Kim Kyung-soo as the chairman of the National Balanced Development Commission is also noteworthy. This can be interpreted as a ‘diverse appointment’ concerning a presidential primary competitor and a practical demonstration of commitment to regional balanced development. This reflects an appointment strategy that considers both political integration and the effectiveness of administration.

Conclusion: The Value of Evidence Demonstrated by Execution

The Yoon Seok-yeol government has clarified the direction of national governance through the appointment of ministerial candidates and the reorganization of the presidential office. The appointments reflect national priorities such as judicial reform, welfare expansion, and balanced regional development, and are structured to secure momentum for achieving these goals by placing trustworthy individuals and experts in key positions. For these appointments to lead to tangible results, it is crucial that they pass the National Assembly hearings and that results are seen in policy implementation. The overall performance of the government will serve as the standard for questioning the legitimacy of these appointments, and this goes beyond merely changing personnel it will become a task of proving the government's philosophy and direction to the public.