South Korea appoints new presidential secretaries for Civil Affairs, Public Relations, and Social Affairs

South Korea's Presidential Office has unveiled a series of new appointments for key advisory roles, signaling a shift in its administrative structure. Han Chan-sik, a lawyer from Kim & Chang, has been named the new Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs. Sung Ki-hong, former president of Yonhap News Agency, will take on the role of Senior Secretary for Public Relations and Communications.

Further strengthening the social policy team, Kim Kyung-ja, an adjunct professor at Woosuk University, has been appointed Senior Secretary for Social Affairs. In national security, Kang Geon-jak, a member of the Presidential Committee on Future Defense Strategy, has been appointed First Deputy Director of the National Security Office. Song Ki-ho, who previously served as the economic security secretary in the National Security Office, will now be the Third Deputy Director.

The announcements were made by Presidential Chief of Staff Kang Hoon-sik during a press briefing. These appointments are expected to shape the administration's policy direction and public engagement strategies moving forward. The specific mandates and priorities for the newly appointed officials will likely become clearer as they assume their duties.