For the first time in 44 years since its launch, the Fair Trade Commission has appointed a woman as a standing Commissioner. The commission said on the 30th that it appointed Lee Sun-mi, head of the Seoul Regional Fair Trade Office, as a new standing Commissioner.
Since the commission's launch in 1981, this is the first time a woman has been appointed to the standing Commissioner (Grade 1) post. Commissioner Lee graduated from Seoul National University's department of biology education, passed the 40th civil service exam in 1996 in the legal administration track, and has served only at the commission as an "orthodox bureaucrat."
Commissioner Lee served in key policy and case-handling posts, including as head of the bid-rigging investigation division, head of the franchise transactions division, and Director General for Planning and Coordination. Most recently, as head of the Seoul Regional Fair Trade Office, Lee oversaw reports and civil petitions in the greater Seoul area, consumer damage relief, and protection of the economically vulnerable. Lee also worked in the Secretariat of the Trial Management Office as a Deputy Director and as head of competition trials, handling numerous decisions and gaining broad knowledge of both legal theory and practice, according to reports.
Inside and outside the commission, Lee is regarded as a "manager who gets it done when needed." Within the organization, Lee is known for candid and proactive leadership, and for a work style that is swift and meticulous in handling pending issues.
Lee has repeatedly set new records for women personnel at the commission. Starting with the first appointment of a woman as Director in 2008, Lee was promoted to deputy director general in 2019 and to Director General in 2021, and is cited as a symbolic figure for broadening the base of women personnel in the organization.
A commission official said, "This new Commissioner is a fair trade expert who understands both policy and cases through experience across various departments," adding, "We expect Lee to add expertise and balance to the decision-making process."