President Lee Jae-myung on the 15th appointed Spokesperson Hyun Su-yeop, 52, as first Vice Minister of the Ministry of Health and Welfare.
Hyun, the new vice minister, was born in 1974 in Seoul and graduated from Seoul National University with a degree in nursing. Hyun later earned a master's in public health from the graduate school of Seoul National University and a master's in public health from San Diego State University in the United States.
Entering public service by passing the 42nd higher civil service exam, Hyun served at the Ministry of Health and Welfare as head of the Emergency Medical Services Division, head of the Childcare Policy Division, director-general for Population and Child Policy, and Spokesperson. Hyun was promoted in Nov. last year to Spokesperson (Deputy Minister level) and, after six months, was promoted to Vice Minister. Lee Gyu-yeon, senior secretary for public communication at the presidential office, said at a briefing that day, "This is a personnel move needed for administration to move forward in a newly advancing way after about a year."
A presidential office official said of Vice Minister Hyun, "As a working mom raising four children, Hyun made major contributions to improving the treatment of childcare teachers and introducing the extended childcare program at day care centers," adding, "Hyun is the right person to build a dense social safety net encompassing welfare and health."