Attention on Successor Appointments Following Han's Nomination as Prime Minister... Cabinet Reshuffle Begins in Administration's Second Year

President Lee Jae-myung: "A Time for Readjustment"

Reshuffles Possible Beyond SMEs Ministry, Including Land, Welfare, Culture, and Education

Presidential Aides Reinforcement Likely to Accelerate the Process

As President Lee Jae-myung nominated Hansung-sook, Minister of SMEs and Startups, as his candidate for Prime Minister, a full-scale reshuffle of the cabinet and presidential aides is expected in the administration's second year. Since the replacement of the Prime Minister signals a strong intent to accelerate key state agendas, it is likely that the cabinet reshuffle will gain momentum, beginning with the selection of a new minister to succeed Han. In addition, as selections for vacant senior and secretarial positions at the presidential office are also pending, it is highly probable that the Lee administration's second phase lineup will be reorganized in stages.

President Lee Jae-myung and First Lady Kim Hye-kyung are boarding Air Force One at Seoul Airport in Seongnam on June 9th to attend the Group of Seven (G7) summit and embark on a European tour. 2026.6.9 Yonhap News Agency

At the press conference marking his first year in office on the 8th, President Lee addressed the possibility of a further cabinet reshuffle, saying, "It has been a year since this administration began, and I believe it is time to readjust the way we work, our content, and our direction." He added, "I think there will be a reshuffle of an appropriate size at the appropriate time." However, regarding the specific timing and targets, he said, "I have not yet examined them in detail or with great care." This is interpreted as an intention to proceed with personnel changes gradually, taking into account the replacement of the Prime Minister, ongoing issues within each ministry, and the selection of successors, rather than carrying out a sweeping overhaul all at once.

The main focus of this personnel shake-up is expected to be on "execution" and "speed." President Lee explained the reasoning behind selecting Han as candidate by saying, "In the end, we need people who will work, people who are simply devoted to getting the job done." Conscious of the criticism that Han lacks political experience, Lee continued, "Political matters will be properly handled by the party," and added, "I intend for the cabinet to do its utmost to sprint forward within the given circumstances." As there is speculation that Prime Minister Kim Min-seok may return to the Democratic Party, these remarks seem to reflect a division of roles in which the party handles political affairs while the cabinet focuses on policy implementation and delivering results. President Lee also evaluated the cabinet led by Prime Minister Kim as "one that has achieved many concrete results in a short period," but he indicated the need for a realignment of roles between the government and the ruling party by stating, "This cabinet cannot remain unchanged until the end of the term."

Some observers believe the reshuffle also aims to overcome limitations faced in the year since the June 3 local elections. President Lee remarked on the election outcome during the press conference, saying, "It was not a success, at the very least," and added, "I see it as a warning from the people." Although the ruling bloc maintained an advantage nationwide, Lee emphasized his intention to take seriously the sense of caution from the electorate in key districts, such as the defeat in the Seoul mayoral race. Nonetheless, he drew a clear line by declaring, "There will be no change to the basic direction of state affairs." He made it clear that the personnel overhaul is intended to push ahead with existing tasks more rapidly, rather than to shift the overall policy direction.

The Ministry of SMEs and Startups is the first post that will require a new appointment. If Han is confirmed as Prime Minister by the National Assembly, the ministerial post will become vacant. As the core economic ministry responsible for the AI transformation, developing a startup nation, fostering ventures and startups, and supporting small business owners—which President Lee has consistently emphasized—the successor must be more than a mere stopgap. The appointment should signal the direction and pace of the administration’s economic policy in its second year.

Prime Minister nominee Hansung-sook is holding the first preparation meeting of the preparation team on the 8th at the Personnel Hearing Preparation Office set up at the Financial Supervisory Service Training Center in Tongui-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul. 2026.6.8 Photo by Jo Yongjun

Alongside the selection of a new SMEs and Startups Minister, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, the Ministry of Health and Welfare, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, and the Ministry of Education are also being discussed for possible changes. The Ministry of Land is at the center of debates over public sentiment on real estate, housing supply, and tax reforms. Given that public opinion in Seoul was not favorable to the ruling bloc in the June 3 local elections, there is growing pressure for tangible real estate policies. The Ministry of Welfare is tasked with rapidly advancing long-term issues such as pension reform and reforming the healthcare and care systems. The ministries of Culture, Sports and Tourism, and Education are also seen as areas that must deliver results in the administration’s second year.

There is also speculation that the foreign affairs and national security teams may be reorganized. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Unification are dealing with major issues such as peace and coexistence on the Korean Peninsula and information sharing with the United States regarding North Korea. The Ministry of Defense also faces mid- to long-term challenges, including the transfer of wartime operational control, the introduction of nuclear-powered submarines, and reforming the Defense Counterintelligence Command. However, given that policy continuity and external messaging are crucial in the fields of foreign affairs and national security, the scope of changes in these ministries may be determined more cautiously than in others.

The strengthening of the presidential aide team could take place even before the cabinet reshuffle. The so-called "three-chief system"—with Kang Hoon-sik as Chief Presidential Secretary, Kim Yong-beom as policy chief, and Wi Sung-rak as national security chief—is likely to remain in place for the time being. However, some senior and secretarial positions may be subject to reassignment or reinforcement. Rapidly filling the vacant post of Chief of AI Future Planning and reinforcing the team of aides is essential for expediting the implementation of state agendas in the administration’s second year. A ruling bloc official commented, "The direction of further reshuffles in other ministries will likely become clear after the appointment of the new SMEs and Startups Minister," adding, "With the reinforcement of the presidential aide team, the second-phase system aimed at delivering results is likely to accelerate."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.