Former lawmaker nominated as minister of SMEs and startups
Hong Jong-haak / Yonhap
President Moon Jae-in on Monday nominated a new candidate to fill the top office at the newly created Ministry of SMEs and Startups.
Hong Jong-haak, a former lawmaker of the ruling Democratic Party, has been designated to head the new ministry, the presidential office Cheong Wa Dae said.
The 58-year old served as a policy adviser in Moon's election camp. He is currently a professor emeritus at Gachon University in Seongnam, located some 40 kilometers south of Seoul.
Hong, if appointed, will be the first minister of the new government office created after President Moon took office in May.
However, he is the second nominee for the job. Moon's first pick, Park Seong-jin, an engineering professor from Pohang University of Science and Technology, withdrew from nomination last month due to criticism over his qualifications and his controversial views on religion and history.
Hong's appointment, if made, will also mark the launch of the new administration in earnest as the president has filled all 18 other cabinet posts with his own nominees.