Lee reshuffles six ministries, replacing tax and property ministers

President Lee Jae Myung reshuffled six ministries, including the departments responsible for finance, justice and land, in a personnel overhaul broader than initially expected.

Chief of staff Kang Hoon-sik announced six ministerial nominees, a vice chair for the National AI Strategy Committee and three presidential staff appointments at the presidential office’s Chunchugwan briefing room. The changes came as Lee’s approval ratings declined and his administration sought to regain momentum in its second year.

Lee Hyeong-il, the current first vice finance minister, was nominated as deputy prime minister and finance minister. Hong Ji-sun, the current second vice land minister, was chosen to lead the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. Their appointments placed serving senior officials in charge of the government’s economic and housing portfolios.

Democratic lawmaker Kim Seung-won was nominated as justice minister after the resignation of Jung Sung-ho, a senior figure in Lee’s party. Kim is a former judge and a two-term lawmaker. As the ruling party’s deputy leader on the National Assembly Legislation and Judiciary Committee, he led efforts to revise the Criminal Procedure Act and is regarded as a core ally of Lee.

The defense minister nominee was Kang Shin-chul, a former Army general. The appointments also included new leadership and advisers for artificial intelligence and presidential projects, extending the reshuffle beyond the six cabinet posts.