Yoon appoints unification, culture, land ministers
President Yoon Suk-yeol speaks at a macroeconomics meeting held at the Korea Center for International Finance (KCIF) in Seoul, Friday. Yonhap
President Yoon Suk-yeol on Friday appointed three more ministers, including the North Korea policy chief, with his Cabinet formation delayed by the main opposition party's refusal to endorse certain nominees.
Yoon appointed Kwon Young-se as unification minister after the National Assembly adopted his confirmation hearing report the previous day.
Yoon went ahead with the appointment of Park Bo-gyoon as culture minister and Won Hee-ryong as land minister though the Assembly failed to adopt hearing reports for them due to objections from the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK).
From left, Unification Minister appointee Kwon Young-se, Culture Minister appointee Park Bo-gyoon and Land Minister appointee Won Hee-ryong
With the latest appointments, Yoon has filled the top posts for 14 out of 18 ministries.
The DPK, which holds a majority in the 300-seat National Assembly, refused to endorse Prime Minister nominee Han Duck-soo and four other ministers, citing ethical lapses and other irregularities.
In Korea, all ministers are subject to a confirmation process in the National Assembly, but only the prime minister's appointment requires the Assembly's approval. (Yonhap)