President nominates Rep. Kim Min-seok as prime minister

President Lee Jae-myung announces key officials of his administration at the presidential briefing room in Seoul, Wednesday. From left are National Intelligence Service director nominee Lee Jong-seok, prime minister nominee Kim Min-seok, President Lee, chief of staff Kang Hoon-sik, National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac and Presidential Security Service head Hwang In-kwon. Yonhap

President Lee Jae-myung on Wednesday nominated Kim Min-seok, an activist-turned-lawmaker who led his election win as co-chairman of the Democratic Party of Korea’s (DPK) campaign committee, for Korea’s next prime minister.

It was Lee’s first job announcement after his inauguration earlier in the day.

“Rep. Kim Min-seok is the right candidate to lead the recovery of the economy with his rich parliamentary experience, political and policy acumen as well as good sense of international affairs,” Lee told reporters at the presidential briefing room in Seoul.

Known as one of the key figures in the pro-Lee faction within the liberal party, Kim, 61, was elected to its Supreme Council in August 2024 before joining the presidential campaign. For the general elections held the same year, Kim was also a director of its campaign operations and helped lead the party to a landslide win.

To formally assume office, Kim is required to receive the approval of the National Assembly ― a process unlikely to face significant hurdles, as the ruling party holds a majority. Once confirmed, he will begin forming Lee’s Cabinet by recommending ministerial appointments, as outlined in the Constitution.

Lee also appointed Rep. Kang Hoon-sik, a former DPK spokesman, as his first chief of staff.

Best known for his ability as an election strategist, Kang, 51, helped Lee formulate strategies during his campaign for the 2022 presidential election and served as a director of the party’s campaign operation this time.

“Rep. Kang Hoon-sik was the chief strategist for the presidential election, who has expertise in economics and budgeting. He will play a role as facilitator of state affairs,” Lee said.

In another major announcement, the president nominated Lee Jong-seok, former unification minister, for the director of the National Intelligence Service (NIS).

Lee Jong-seok is a North Korea expert who strongly advocated the Sunshine Policy adopted by the former Kim Dae-jung administration that focused on engagement and humanitarian assistance, rather than a confrontational approach, to promote peace and reunification with the North. He served as a member of the National Security Council (NSC) before becoming the unification minister during the Roh Moo-hyun administration, which carried on with the conciliatory approach toward the North.

“He is the right person to protect the national interest in the middle of the trade war, with his experience in strengthening the intelligence agency’s intelligence-gathering capabilities and improving its information delivery system as an NSC member,” the president said, adding he would use his expertise to find a breakthrough for the frozen inter-Korean relations.

Rep. Wi Sung-lac, who formerly served as ambassador to Russia between November 2011 and May 2015, was tapped as the next director of the NSC. He is expected to pursue the goal of a peaceful and prosperous Korean Peninsula through pragmatic diplomacy in the era of “the great transformation,” the president said.

Hwang In-kwon, a retired four-star Army general, was named as the next chief of the Presidential Security Service. During the Moon Jae-in administration, Hwang served as the commanding general of the 2nd Operations Command between October 2018 and September 2020.

Rep. Kang Yu-jung, who served as a spokeswoman for Lee on his campaign team, was named Lee’s first presidential spokesperson.

“Going forward, the new administration’s appointments will be merit-based and focused on national unity,” the president said.

Earlier this week, ministers and vice ministers of the previous Yoon Suk Yeol administration submitted their letters of resignation en masse.

The president turned down resignation offers from Cabinet members, except for Justice Minister Park Sung-jae, to ensure continuity in state affairs, the presidential office said.