The significance of the first vice-ministerial appointment under the Lee Jae-myung government - A pursuit of stability and performance centered around bureaucracy

The Significance of the First Vice Minister-Level Appointment of the Lee Jae-myung Administration

On June 20, 2025, President Lee Jae-myung appointed a total of five vice-ministerial level officials, including the vice ministers of the Ministry of Unification, Ministry of the Interior and Safety, Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, and the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, as well as the head of the Disaster and Safety Management Agency. This marks the first substantial mid-level personnel reshuffle since the launch of the Lee Jae-myung administration, highlighting the importance of key figures responsible for the practical operation of national governance. Notably, all of these officials come from a background in the bureaucracy, having accumulated extensive experience and expertise in their respective ministries, which clearly reflects the personnel policy emphasizing "immediate results" and "expertise." This reshuffle is not merely a change of personnel it can be seen as a symbolic move that allows for a glimpse into the administrative philosophy of the Lee Jae-myung administration and its future direction for national governance. Through the backgrounds, intentions, and profiles of the appointed individuals, we can read the specific direction of the government’s pursuit of "tangible administration."

Strategic personnel that seeks stability and change simultaneously

The Presidential Office of Lee Jae-myung stated that it "pursued both stability and change" regarding the recent personnel appointments. This remark goes beyond mere rhetoric. Announcing vice minister-level appointments before minister-level ones reflects a strategic decision to quickly establish a practical framework that will effectively implement policies at the administrative front lines and immediately secure momentum for national governance. Notably, instead of politically motivated appointments, the emphasis on utilizing bureaucrats who have led practical work in various ministries is interpreted as a result of valuing the continuity, efficiency, and stability of policies. This highlights the strong commitment of the Lee Jae-myung administration to operate a 'performance-based governance' from the early stages of its tenure.

Profiles and Implications of Key Figures

Kim Nam-jung - As the Vice Minister of Unification, he is a veteran bureaucrat with over 30 years of experience in the Ministry of Unification. He has served as the chief representative for the North-South Dialogue Headquarters and possesses extensive experience in inter-Korean summits, exchange and cooperation, and general meeting negotiations. He is highly respected within the ministry, often referred to as "the history of the Ministry of Unification," and is regarded as an ideal candidate who can pursue both consistency and effectiveness in North Korea policy. Kim Min-jae - The Vice Minister of the Ministry of Interior and Safety is a graduate of the 38th Administrative Examination. He has served as the Director of Local Administrative Policy and the Director of Planning and Coordination, among other positions, making him an expert in local decentralization and balanced development. His experience as the Director of Planning and Coordination in Gangwon Province demonstrates his practical understanding of local administration, making him a key figure capable of leading the practical implementation of the "Era of Local Autonomy" emphasized by President Lee Jae-myung. Kang Hyoung-seok - The Vice Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs has held positions such as the Director of Rural Policy and the Director of Agricultural Innovation Policy, equipping him with insights and practical abilities in agricultural policy as a whole. Kim Sung-beom - The Vice Minister of Oceans and Fisheries has held key positions such as the Director of Marine Policy and the Director of the Port Authority, showcasing his capabilities in both policy planning and hands-on experience. Lastly, Kim Kwang-yong - The Director of the Disaster and Safety Management Agency is a capable bureaucrat skilled in both disaster management practices and organizational operations, having served as the Director of Life Safety Policy and the Director of Disaster Response Policy.

Strategic Effects of Strengthening the Bureaucratic System

The commonality of this personnel appointment is clear. They are all internal experts who best understand the "language and grammar of the relevant department." These individuals are "immediately deployable" personnel who do not require additional training to understand and implement new policy philosophy, making them suitable for enhancing the consistency and momentum of national governance. Furthermore, the Lee Jae-myung administration has expressed its intention to create a model case of "performance-based" administration through this appointment. Each appointee has been given an implicit pressure to deliver tangible results, which is linked to the vision of creating a virtuous cycle where government policies extend to practical application, field work, and public perception. In particular, strengthening the bureaucratic system in the key areas of unification, local governance, agriculture, marine affairs, and disaster management symbolically shows that the core of national governance lies in "performance."

Future Outlook and Challenges

This vice-ministerial appointment is the first signal that hints at the national governance philosophy of the Lee Jae-myung administration. While the ministerial appointments are still pending, the strategy appears to prioritize placing vice-ministers in charge of practical operations to secure on-site functionality, followed by ministerial appointments to strengthen political coordination and symbolism. Ultimately, the key will depend on what actual results these appointments produce. When the national governance philosophy leads to tangible changes in the field, and those changes are felt by the public, only then will the administrative philosophy of the Lee Jae-myung administration gain trust.