South Korean President Lee Jae-myung nominates six new ministers
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South Korean President Lee Jae-myung nominated candidates to lead six ministries, including defense, finance and justice. The nominations mark the first major cabinet reshuffle since Lee took office in June 2025. Parliamentary hearings will be held, but National Assembly approval is not required for the appointments.
Key Facts
- President Lee Jae-myung nominated candidates for six ministerial posts, including defense, finance and justice.
- Former ROK-US Combined Forces Command deputy commander Kang Shin-chul was nominated as defense minister.
- Current Deputy Finance Minister Lee Hyun-il was nominated to lead the Ministry of Finance.
- The reshuffle is the first major cabinet change since Lee's inauguration in June 2025.
- Parliamentary hearings are required, but National Assembly approval is not needed for the appointments.
Nomination Announcement
President Lee Jae-myung nominated candidates to lead six ministries, including defense, finance and justice. The announcement was made by presidential chief of staff Kang Hoon-sik. The reshuffle affects the ministries of finance, justice, defense, family and gender equality, land and infrastructure, and SMEs and startups.
Key Nominees
Kang Shin-chul, former deputy commander of the ROK-US Combined Forces Command and current ambassador to Saudi Arabia, was nominated as defense minister. Lee Hyun-il, current deputy finance minister, was nominated to head the Ministry of Finance. Ruling party lawmaker Kim Seung-won was nominated for justice minister. Hong Ji-sun, current deputy minister of land and infrastructure, was nominated to lead that ministry. Basic Income Party lawmaker Yeo Hye-in was nominated for family and gender equality minister, and ruling Democratic Party lawmaker Lee So-young for SMEs and startups minister.
Cabinet Reshuffle Context
This is the first major cabinet reshuffle under President Lee Jae-myung, who took office in June 2025. In July, SMEs Minister Han Sung-sook was appointed prime minister, replacing Kim Min-seok, who resigned to run for ruling party chairman. In August, the justice minister also resigned amid prosecution reform.
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South Korean President Lee Jae-myung nominates six new ministers
