South Korea’s President Appoints Foreign, Defense Leaders
(MENAFN) Nearly three weeks after assuming office, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung announced his top selections for the foreign and defense ministries on Monday.
Media reports that Cho Hyun, the former first Vice Foreign Minister, has been appointed as the new foreign minister. Meanwhile, Ahn Gyu-back, a seasoned lawmaker from the ruling Democratic Party (DP) with four terms under his belt, is set to head the Defense Ministry.
In addition, Lee nominated Chung Dong-young to serve as the unification minister, the official in charge of overseeing relations between North and South Korea.
Lee secured his presidency in the snap elections held on June 3, which followed the impeachment and removal of his predecessor, Yoon Suk Yeol, who was ousted after an unsuccessful attempt to declare martial law.
Cho Hyun has extensive experience, having previously been vice minister under former President Moon Jae-in’s DP administration. He also represented South Korea at the United Nations from 2019 to 2022.
Ahn Gyu-back brings considerable expertise in defense, having predominantly worked on the National Assembly’s defense subcommittee during his political career.
The appointment is notable because, “If confirmed, he will be the first ‘civilian’ defense minister since 1961,” according to the report.
This milestone is significant as South Korea had been under military influence since former President Park Chung-hee’s 1961 coup, before democratization took root in the early 1980s.
Chung Dong-young, a former journalist and long-standing DP lawmaker, previously held the unification minister role during Roh Moo-hyun’s government between 2004 and 2005.
All of these Cabinet appointees are expected to face a parliamentary confirmation process before officially assuming their roles.
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