Rep. Choung Byoung-gug tapped as culture minister in Cabinet shake-up

President Lee Myung-bak on Friday nominated a three-term lawmaker as his new culture minister and a presidential aide as knowledge economy minister in a minor Cabinet reshuffle, Lee's office Cheong Wa Dae announced.

Rep. Choung Byoung-gug of the ruling Grand National Party, tapped as culture minister, "has expertise in culture, public relations and media policy" as he has served at the National Assembly's culture, sports and tourism committee for 11 years, Cheong Wa Dae said. He is currently the head of the committee.

Choi Joong-kyung, senior presidential secretary for economic affairs, was named knowledge economy minister in charge of the government's policy on trade and industry.

Choi long served at the finance ministry and also served as Seoul's ambassador to the Philippines

He is well versed in domestic and international economy and has a "deep understanding of the Lee Myung-bak administration's overall economic policy," Cheong Wa Dae said.

It also announced that Chung Tong--ki, formerly a senior prosecutor, was nominated to lead the Board of Audit and Inspection of Korea, a minister-level post.