President Yoon Suk Yeol nominated people for 6 out of 19 ministerial positions on Dec. 4.
The anticipated announcement came after the presidential office started major reshuffles the week before.
The upcoming general election next April, is forcing current ministers, who are looking to run for the National Assembly, to resign their posts by Jan. 11t, the cut-off date under Public Official Election Act.
For deputy prime minister and minister of economy and finance, the former senior secretary to the president for economic affairs, Choi Sang-mok, has been nominated to replace Choo Kyung-ho, a two-term lawmaker who is seeking a third.
Choi worked closely with the presidential office, and has been a big part of the Yoon administration’s economic policies so far.
“The nomination comes when there are unfavorable economic conditions at home and abroad, so I feel a great sense of responsibility facing the long road ahead,” he said.
Former Korea Land and Housing Corporation CEO Park Sang-woo, has been nominated as infrastructure minister, while Kang Do-hyung has been put forward to head the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries.
To lead the SMEs and startups ministry, Oh Young-ju, who most recently served as 2nd vice minister of foreign affairs, has been nominated.
Kang Jung-ai, a former president of Sookmyung Women’s University has been nominated as minister of patriots and veterans affairs, and Song Mi-ryung is looking to head the Ministry of Agriculture.
It’s also noteworthy that the nominations announced on Monday are all scholars and experts in their fields with no direct political experience, with the general elections coming up in April.
In fact, the majority of the incumbents were already politicians when they were nominated.
This is a trend likely to continue with more nominations yet to come.
Justice Minister Han Dong-hoon is also being closely watched by the public. While he is a key man in the Yoon Administration and a close confidant to the president, he could also be seeking to debut in politics.
In addition, the Foreign Affairs Minister Park Jin is under scrutiny about his potential moves.
This article was originally published on Dec. 4, 2023.