Lee Appoints Lee Hyungil as Deputy Prime Minister for Economy, Kim Seungwon as Justice Minister, Kang Shinchul as Defense Minister in Six-Ministry Reshuffle (Comprehensive)

Secretary to the President Kang Hoon-sik Announces Appointments on August 30

Hong Ji-sun for Land Ministry, Lee So-young for SMEs, Yong Hye-in for Gender Equality

Ha Jung-woo Named Vice Chair of National AI Strategy Committee

President Lee Jae-myung carried out a cabinet reshuffle for six ministries on August 30, 2026. Lee Hyung-il, currently the First Vice Minister of the Ministry of Economy and Finance, was appointed as candidate for Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance. Hong Jisun, Second Vice Minister of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, was selected as candidate for Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, and Lee Soyoung, a Democratic Party lawmaker, was chosen as candidate for Minister of SMEs and Startups. Additionally, appointments were made for vacant positions among Blue House aides.

Kang Hoon-sik, Chief Presidential Secretary, announced this reshuffle plan during a briefing at the Cheong Wa Dae press center on this day.

The Blue House announced that President Lee Jae-myung nominated six ministerial candidates on the 30th, including the candidate for Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance.

From the top row, left to right: Lee Hyung-il, nominated as candidate for Minister of Economy and Finance; Kim Seungwon, Democratic Party member nominated as candidate for Minister of Justice; Kang Sincheol, former deputy commander of the Combined Forces Command, nominated as candidate for Minister of National Defense.

From the bottom row, left to right: Yong Hyein, Basic Income Party member nominated as candidate for Minister of Gender Equality and Family; Hong Jisun, Second Vice Minister nominated as candidate for Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport; Lee Soyoung, Democratic Party member nominated as candidate for Minister of SMEs and Startups. August 30, 2026, Yonhap News.

Following former Deputy Prime Minister Koo Yoonchul, Lee Hyung-il, the candidate now chosen to lead economic policy, was born in 1971 in Daegu. He graduated from Seoul National University with a degree in economics and earned a doctorate in economics from Texas A&M University in the United States. He began his public service career by passing the 36th Higher Civil Service Examination and previously served as Secretary for Economic Policy at the Office of the President.

Chief Secretary Kang stated, "Candidate Lee has proven his capacity for execution, having led the introduction of the maximum oil price system in response to high oil prices originating from the Middle East," adding, "As a young economic leader, he is expected to link record-breaking economic indicators to qualitative improvements in people's lives, overcome economic polarization, and enable our economy to continue stable growth."

Hong Jisun, the candidate for Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, graduated from Seongnam High School in Seoul and Hanyang University with a degree in civil engineering and obtained a master’s degree in urban and regional planning from the University of Birmingham in the United Kingdom. Within the Ministry, she served as Director General for Railroads, Ports and Logistics; Director of the Urban Housing Division; and was the Deputy Mayor of Namyangju. Lee Soyoung, the candidate for Minister of SMEs and Startups, is a two-term lawmaker who has been highly regarded for her active legislative support for startups and protection of small business owners, demonstrating a broad range of policy experience from innovation-driven growth to improving the people's livelihoods.

Kang Sincheol, former Deputy Commander of the ROK-US Combined Forces Command, was tapped as candidate for Minister of National Defense. Candidate Kang is a retired four-star general who served in key military roles such as Director of Operations at the Joint Chiefs of Staff and is currently the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Saudi Arabia. Chief Secretary Kang said, "Based on the firm ROK-US alliance, we expect him to strengthen independent defense capabilities in preparation for future warfare and to boldly and swiftly lead defense innovation, including the integration of military academies."

Kim Seungwon, a Democratic Party lawmaker, was nominated as candidate for Minister of Justice. Candidate Kim, a former judge currently serving his second term, holds the position of secretary on the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee. According to Chief Secretary Kang, Candidate Kim has a deep understanding of the intent behind reforming the criminal justice system and is expected to protect victims' rights as the top priority and quickly establish the new criminal justice framework.

Yong Hyein, a lawmaker from the Basic Income Party, has been nominated as candidate for Minister of Gender Equality and Family. As a two-term National Assembly member, she has actively voiced her opinions on preventing digital sex crimes and creating an environment where work and family can be balanced. Chief Secretary Kang explained, "Based on her fresh perspectives and strong drive rooted in hands-on experience, she is the right person to move beyond generational and gender conflicts and work with the younger generation to achieve gender equality for all."

Kang Hoon-sik, Chief Secretary, is giving a briefing on personnel matters at the Cheong Wa Dae Press Center on the 30th. Photo by Yonhap News

Appointments were also made for vacant positions among Blue House aides. Lee Hae-min, a lawmaker from the National Renewal Party, was appointed as the new Senior Secretary for AI Future Planning. Lee Wonjoo, Director General for Energy Transition Policy at the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment, was named as the new Senior Aide for Mega Projects, a newly established position. Kim Kyungsoo, former Chair of the Regional Era Committee, was named as Special Political Advisor to the president. Ha Jeongwoo, former Senior Secretary for AI at the Blue House, was selected as Vice Chair of the Presidential National AI Strategy Committee.

Chief Secretary Kang emphasized regarding Senior Secretary Lee, "This candidate has led the way in setting the direction for Korea's AI," and added, "He is the right person to serve as a control tower, connecting the national AI strategy to industrial innovation and noticeable changes in public services, and uniting capabilities across all ministries." Regarding Senior Secretary Ha, Chief Kang said, "As the first Senior Secretary for AI, he has proven expertise and policy capabilities. Having taken part in launching the National AI Strategy Committee, he will steer Korea toward becoming one of the top three global AI leaders by presenting a national AI strategy that draws together robust capabilities from academia, industry, and research institutes."

Chief Secretary Kang stated, "President Lee urged that new vitality be added to people's livelihoods and economic growth, that safety in citizens' daily lives be further secured, and that innovation in future industries, especially AI, be accelerated. Through these efforts, we will deliver tangible results that Koreans can truly feel as we advance to become an irreplaceable Korea."

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