Anna Jiwon Park has been covering the politics at The Korea Times since the summer of 2024, when she joined the press pool for the Office of the President in Korea. Prior to that, she spent about five years reporting extensively on financial markets, regulatory authorities and the financial industry. She joined The Korea Times in 2019 after spending eight years as a broadcast journalist at Arirang TV, Korea’s leading global broadcaster, covering politics, defense and culture.
Lee Jae Myung keeps outgoing agriculture minister, stressing competence
Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Song Mi-ryung arrives for a Cabinet meeting held at the presidential office in Seoul, Tuesday. Yonhap
By Anna J. Park
In retaining Song Mi-ryung, new administration emphasizes pragmatism
In a highly unusual move, Song Mi-ryung, who served as minister of agriculture under former President Yoon Suk Yeol, has been reappointed to the same post by President Lee Jae Myung — becoming the only member of the previous cabinet to retain her position.
Song was among 11 ministerial nominees announced earlier this week by the presidential office.
While there have been rare instances of Cabinet continuity in Korea — such as Defense Minister Kim Kwan-jin serving under the presidencies of both Lee Myung-bak and Park Geun-hye — Song’s reappointment marks the first time a minister has been retained across a change in ruling parties.
Ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) spokesperson Bak Seung-a hailed the decision as “a prime example of President Lee’s inclusive governance, where competence takes precedence over ideology,” speaking to reporters at the National Assembly, Tuesday.
The presidential office also underscored that Song’s reappointment reflects Lee’s pragmatic approach to leadership.
“Minister Song’s reappointment represents a merit-based, nonpartisan appointment in line with the Lee administration’s core philosophy of pragmatism,” said Kang Hoon-sik, presidential chief of staff.
Citing Song’s widely recognized expertise — particularly in tackling the effects of climate change on agriculture and addressing the deepening rural depopulation crisis — the presidential office said these qualifications were central to the decision to retain her.
DPK Rep. Jeon Hyun-heui echoed that view in an interview with CBS Radio, calling the reappointment a clear signal that Lee intends to prioritize competence over partisanship.
“President Lee is demonstrating that he is willing to work with competent individuals from prior administrations, regardless of political affiliation,” Jeon said.
Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Song Mi-ryung attends a session of the Agriculture, Food, Rural Affairs, Oceans, and Fisheries Committee at the National Assembly in Seoul, Monday. Yonhap
Song’s reappointment has not been without controversy.
Some members of both the DPK and the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) accused her of complicity in the former president’s abrupt declaration of martial law, citing her attendance at a Cabinet meeting where the move was discussed.
In response, Jeon clarified that Song later cooperated with authorities by providing key information to help clarify the circumstances surrounding the meeting.
In addition to the political controversy, Song has also faced sharp criticism from within the agricultural sector.
She previously voiced strong opposition to a DPK–backed amendment to the Grain Act, which would have required the government to purchase surplus rice when prices fell. At the time, she dismissed the proposal as harmful, warning it would “destroy the farming industry.”
However, signs of a policy shift are now emerging.
The DPK has reintroduced a revised version of the Grain Act amendment, requiring the government to buy surplus rice only from farms that have taken steps to reduce cultivation areas.
Song has since adopted a more conciliatory tone, telling lawmakers during a parliamentary session that she will “move in a direction that aligns with the philosophy of the new administration.”
Woo Sang-ho, presidential chief of political affairs, visited the National Assembly, Tuesday, to address concerns surrounding Song’s reappointment. During a roughly 50-minute meeting with DPK lawmakers on the Agriculture, Food, Rural Affairs, Oceans, and Fisheries Committee, Woo emphasized that this particular decision reflects the president’s commitment to national unity.