President Lee reshuffles senior staff for second year in office

President Lee Jae-myung has appointed new senior secretaries for public communication, justice, and social affairs, signaling a push to accelerate key national tasks in his second year. The reshuffle includes Seong Ki-ho, former CEO of Yonhap News, as Senior Secretary for Public Communication; Han Chan-sik, a lawyer from Kim & Chang, as Senior Secretary for Justice; and Kim Kyung-ja, a visiting professor and former labor activist, as Senior Secretary for Social Affairs.

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With 30 years of experience as a seasoned journalist, he is expected to carefully consider the voices of the people and faithfully support public communication so that the government's responses and achievements can be easily felt by the public.

Presidential Chief of Staff Kang Hoon-sik stated that the appointments are focused on "speedily realizing the vision of an irreplaceable Republic of Korea" for the second year of the administration, building on the achievements of the past year. The appointments also extend to the National Security Office, with Kang Geon-wook named First Deputy Director and Song Ki-ho appointed Third Deputy Director.

Seong Ki-ho, a veteran journalist with 30 years of experience, is expected to enhance public communication by carefully considering citizens' voices and ensuring government responses are felt. Han Chan-sik, who previously served in various prosecutorial roles including Director of the Seoul Eastern District Prosecutors' Office, is tasked with strengthening accountability in the public sector and overseeing reforms such as the establishment of a new agency for investigating serious crimes and a public prosecution office.

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Han will strengthen accountability in the public sector in the second year of the administration and ensure the smooth completion of follow-up tasks such as the establishment of a new agency for investigating serious crimes and a public prosecution office.

Kim Kyung-ja, described as a leader who has driven social change through her work as a pharmacist, labor activist, and civic leader, will focus on social issues. The administration also appointed Nam Jae-heon as the new Vice Minister of Oceans and Fisheries, filling a vacancy left by a recent by-election win.

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As a leader who has driven social change through her work as a pharmacist, labor activist, and civic leader, she will play an active role in reforming labor policies, including the prevention of industrial accidents.