Lee nominates conservative-leaning former lawmaker as new budget minister

Former three-term lawmaker Lee Hye-hoon, appointed as the new minister for planning and budget, previously served three terms in the National Assembly under the Grand National Party, Saenuri Party and the United Future Party, all predecessors of the main opposition People Power Party. Courtesy of the presidential office

President Lee Jae Myung nominated Lee Hye-hoon, a veteran economist and former three-term lawmaker from the conservative camp, as the inaugural minister for planning and budget, the presidential office announced Sunday.

Lee Hye-hoon, widely regarded as a pragmatic conservative economist, was tapped to lead the newly established Ministry of Planning and Budget, which will be placed under the prime minister’s office as part of a government reorganization bill scheduled to take effect in January.

Announcing the nomination at a press briefing, Lee Kyu-yeon, presidential secretary for public relations and communication, described her as “a policy expert with deep practical experience."

“Grounded in a philosophy of economic democratization, she introduced a bill as primary sponsor to revise the Minimum Wage Act and Interest Limitation Act, while advancing policies aimed at curbing unfair trade practices and revitalizing people’s livelihoods,” Lee Kyu-yeon said. “Based on her extensive legislative experience, she is well-suited to carefully design the government’s mid- to long-term national strategy and restore future growth engines.”

Lee Hye-hoon previously served in the 17th and 18th National Assemblies as a lawmaker from the Grand National Party, and later served in the 20th Assembly under the Saenuri Party — all predecessors of the current main opposition People Power Party. In parliament, she held key posts including member of the Strategy and Finance Committee, senior secretary of the Budget and Accounts Special Committee, and chair of the Intelligence Committee. She is also a former research fellow at the Korea Development Institute.

The presidential office announces ministerial- and vice minister–level appointments on Sunday. Appointees are, from left, former lawmaker Lee Hye-hoon, as the inaugural minister for planning and budget; former lawmaker Kim Song-sik as vice chair of the National Economic Advisory Council; Lee Gyung-su, chair of EnableFusion, as vice chair of the Presidential Advisory Council on Science and Technology; Kim Jong-ku, former head of the food policy office at the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, as vice minister of agriculture, food and rural affairs; and Hong Ji-sun, vice mayor of Namyangju, as second vice minister of land, infrastructure and transport. Courtesy of the presidential office

In another surprise appointment, Lee named Kim Song-sik, also a conservative former lawmaker, as vice chair of the National Economic Advisory Council. Kim previously served in the National Assembly under the Grand National Party and the center-leaning People’s Party.

Describing Kim’s credentials, Lee Kyu-yeon said he is “a principled reform-minded former two-term lawmaker” who has been widely recognized for his policy expertise, having served as senior secretary of the National Assembly’s Strategy and Finance Committee and chair of a special committee on the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

“He is well-positioned to help steer the country through structural economic challenges and lead innovation initiatives such as the transition to artificial intelligence,” the presidential communications secretary added.

Asked why the president selected figures from the opposition camp, he said the appointments reflected Lee’s key personnel philosophy, which rests on national unity and pragmatism.

“These nominations uphold the principles of unity and practical governance,” Lee said. “As you know, these individuals are among the foremost experts in economic and budgetary policy and possess proven administrative competence.”

In additional appointments, Lee appointed Lee Gyung-su, chairman of EnableFusion Co., as vice chair of the Presidential Advisory Council on Science and Technology.

The president also appointed Kim Jong-ku, former head of the food policy office, as vice minister of agriculture, food and rural affairs; and Hong Ji-sun, vice mayor of Namyangju in Gyeonggi Province, as second vice minister of land, infrastructure and transport.

He also named ruling Democratic Party of Korea Rep. Cho Jeong-sik as senior political adviser to the president, and Lee Han-joo, head of the National Research Council, as senior policy adviser to the president, respectively.