By Kang Hyun-kyung
Staff Reporter

President-elect Lee Myung-bak appointed 39 secretaries and key staff members of his presidential office team, Friday.

A confidant of Lee, Park Young-joon, was named as secretary of planning and coordination at Cheong Wa Dae.

Park worked for the incoming President as chief of political affairs at the Seoul metropolitan government when Lee was mayor of Seoul, and also led the Ankuk Forum, Lee's private think tank.

A graduate of Korea University, Park is one of the inner circle members of Lee's team.

Lee Tae-gyu was named secretary of speech planning and coordination. Previously, Lee worked at the Yeido Institute, a think tank of the Grand National Party (GNP), as senior researcher, and led the President-elect's presidential campaign strategy team.

The new President's personal aide Kim Baek-joon was named secretary of general affairs.

As a core insider of the Lee team, Kim served as president of E-Bank, a business established by the President-elect and his former business partner Kim Kyung-joon.

Kim Baek-joon was picked for the position far earlier than other staff members.

Jang Dasaro, a secretary to Vice National Assembly Speaker Lee Sang-deuk, was appointed as civil affairs secretary.

According to the transition team, 17 out of the 39 nominees are from Seoul, 10 are from Gyeongsang Province, 5 from Chungcheong Province, 6 from North and South Jeolla Province and one from Gangwon Province.

Previously, opponents said that incoming President Lee preferred hiring people from his alma mater, Korea University, Gyeongsang Province and Somang Church in Seoul.

Lee's nominations of key government posts reflected his preferences.

Rep. Joo Ho-young, a spokesman of the President-elect, dismissed it, saying Lee has chosen key post holders simply based on their ability and relevant career backgrounds.

hkang@koreatimes.co.kr