Cabinet of Lee Jae Myung

Last updated

Cabinet of Lee Jae Myung
Flag of South Korea.svg
State Council of South Korea
2025–present
President Lee Jae-myung 2025 (cropped).jpg
Date formed4 June 2025
People and organisations
President Lee Jae Myung
Prime Minister
Deputy Prime Minister
Member party  Democratic Party
Status in legislature Majority government
Opposition parties
Opposition leader Jang Dong-hyeok
History
Elections
Predecessor Cabinet of Yoon Suk Yeol

Lee Jae Myung assumed office as the 14th president of South Korea on 4 June 2025 and is expected to form a cabinet after winning the 2025 presidential election. [1] [2] [3]

Contents

Nomination

He nominated Kim Min-seok as Prime Minister, while former Unification Minister Lee Jong-seok, former Deputy National Security Adviser Kim Hyun-jong, and diplomat-turned-politician Wi Sung-lac were reportedly among his potential picks for positions in national security and foreign affairs posts. [4] [5] Lee also nominated Rep. Kang Hoon-sik, a former DPK spokesman, as his first chief of staff, Lee Jong-seok for the director of the National Intelligence Service, Hwang In-kwon, a retired four-star Army general, as the chief of the Presidential Security Service, Wi Sung-lac as director of the National Security Council (NSC), and Rep. Kang Yu-jung, who was a spokeswoman for Lee's 2025 presidential campaign team, as his presidential spokesperson. [6]

Seeking to ensure continuity in state affairs, Lee turned down the resignation offers of holdover members of the previous cabinet, with the exception of Justice Minister Park Sung-jae. [6] He met with Yoon's holdover cabinet on 5 June, including Acting Prime Minister Lee Ju-ho. [7]

By 23 June 2025, Lee had nominated numerous more ministers. On 23 June alone, he would nominate 10 ministers to his cabinet, including his defense, foreign affairs and unification ministers. [8] His defense minister nominee Ahn Gyu-back will be the first civilian defense minister since 1961 upon confirmation. [8] [9] His unification minister nominee Chung Dong-young is known for his close engagement with North Korea during his previous tenure as the unification minister under the President Roh Moo-hyun. [10]

On 24 June 2025, Kim Min-Seok's two parliamentary day confirmation hearing began. [11] [12] The second and final confirmation hearing for Kim at the National Assembly was held on 25 June 2025. [13] [14] [15] [ unreliable source? ]

On 30 June 2025, South Korea National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik stated that the motion to approve Kim's prime minister nomination would be voted on no later than 3 July 2025. [16] The same day, Lee Jae-myung nominated six new cabinet ministers including two deputy prime ministers and tapping his longtime aide Jeong Seong-ho as the new Justice Minister and former President of Chungnam National University Lee Jin-sook, which shares similar name with the chairwoman of Korea Communications Commission Lee Jin-sook, as the new Education Minister. [17] [18] [19]

On 3 July 2025, the South Korean National Assembly voted to approve the nomination of Kim Min-seok as Prime Minister in a 173-3 vote. [20] Kim would then be sworn in as Prime Minister on 7 July 2025. [21] The post of prime minister is the only cabinet level position which requires National Assembly approval in South Korea. [20] As of 30 June 2025, Lee has nominated 17 of 19 cabinet ministers. [22] On 11 July 2025, the last two remaining cabinet ministers were named, thus finalizing the lineup for Lee Jae Myung's 19-member cabinet. [23] [24] The cabinet now awaits official presidential confirmation. [24] On 13 July 2025, Lee appointed 12 vice ministers. One notable appointment was Hong So-young, who would become the first woman to serve as commissioner of the Military Manpower Administration since the administration was founded in 1970. [25]

Lee has opted for his cabinet minister nominees to face scrutiny hearings in the National Assembly prior to their confirmation, and the first hearings for Lee's cabinet nominees began on 14 July 2025. [26] [27] Education Minister nominee Lee Jin-sook, Gender Equality Minister nominee Rep. Kang Sun-woo, Minister of Science, ICT nominee Bae Kyung-hoon and Minister of Oceans and Fisheries Chung Jae-soo would be among those who their confirmation hearings held on 14 July. [26] [28] [29] Defense Minister nominee Ahn Gyu-back would have his scrutiny hearing on 15 July. [30] [27] The same day, Kwon Oh-eul, nominee for Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, and Han Sung-sook, nominee for Minister of SMEs and Startups, would have their scrutiny hearings as well. [31] [ unreliable source? ]

On 20 July, Lee withdrew the nomination of Lee Jin-sook as Minister of Education. [32] On 23 July, Kang Sun-woo resigned as the nominee of the Minister of Gender Equality and Family. [33]

Cabinet

Cabinet ministers

Cabinet of President Lee Jae Myung
  Serving in an acting capacity

Source:

OfficeMinisterRef.
Seal of the President of the Republic of Korea.svg

President
Assumed office 4 June 2025

Lee Jae-myung G7 summit.jpg
Lee Jae Myung
Emblem of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Korea.svg

Prime Minister
Announced 4 June 2025
Assumed office 3 July 2025

Kim Min-seok 20250807.jpg
Kim Min-seok
[4]
Emblem of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Korea.svg

Deputy Prime Minister of Economy
and
Minister of Economy and Finance
Announced 29 June 2025
Assumed office 18 July 2025

Koo Yun-cheol 20250805.jpg
Koo Yun-cheol
[34] [35]
Emblem of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Korea.svg

Deputy Prime Minister of Social Affairs
and
Minister of Education
Announced 13 August 2025
Assumed office TBD

Choi Gyo-jin's portrait (2020.07).jpg
Choi Kyo-jin
[36]
Emblem of the Government of the Republic of Korea.svg

Minister of Science and ICT
Announced 23 June 2025
Assumed office 16 July 2025

Bae Kyung-hoon's Portrait (2025.7).png
Bae Kyung-hoon
[37] [38]
Emblem of the Government of the Republic of Korea.svg

Minister of Foreign Affairs
Announced 23 June 2025
Assumed office 18 July 2025

Cho Hyun 20250806.jpg
Cho Hyun
[39] [35]
Emblem of the Government of the Republic of Korea.svg

Minister of Unification
Announced 23 June 2025
Assumed office 25 July 2025

Chung Dong-young 20250203.jpg
Chung Dong-young
[10] [40]
Emblem of the Government of the Republic of Korea.svg

Minister of Justice
Announced 29 June 2025
Assumed office 18 July 2025

Jeong Seong-ho 250806.jpg
Jeong Seong-ho  [ ko ]
[41] [35]
Emblem of the Ministry of National Defense (South Korea).svg

Minister of National Defense
Announced 23 June 2025
Assumed office 25 July 2025

Ahn Gyu-back 250814.jpg
Ahn Gyu-back
[42] [40]
Emblem of the Government of the Republic of Korea.svg

Minister of the Interior and Safety
Announced 29 June 2025
Assumed office 19 July 2025

Yun Ho-jung 250818.jpg
Yun Ho-jung
[34] [43]
Emblem of the Government of the Republic of Korea.svg

Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs
Announced 23 June 2025
Assumed office 25 July 2025

Kwon Oh-eul 20250804.jpg

Kwon Oh-eul

[44] [40]
Emblem of the Government of the Republic of Korea.svg

Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism
Announced 11 July 2025
Assumed office 31 July 2025

Choi Hwi-Young's portrait (2025.08).jpg
Choi Hwi-Young  [ ko ]
[45] [46]
Emblem of the Government of the Republic of Korea.svg

Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
Assumed office 23 December 2023
Holdover from Yoon cabinet
Announced 23 June 2025

Song Mi-ryung 20241114.jpg
Song Mi-ryung
[47]
Emblem of the Government of the Republic of Korea.svg

Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy
Announced 29 June 2025
Assumed office 18 July 2025

Kim Jung-kwan's portrait (2025.07).jpg
Kim Jung-kwan
[48] [35]
Emblem of the Government of the Republic of Korea.svg

Minister of Health and Welfare
Announced 29 June 2025
Assumed office 21 July 2025

Jeong Eun-kyeong's Portrait (c. 2020).jpg
Jeong Eun-kyeong
[49] [50]
Emblem of the Government of the Republic of Korea.svg

Minister of Environment
Announced 23 June 2025
Assumed office 21 July 2025

Kim Seong-hwan 250818.jpg
Kim Sung-hwan
[51] [50]
Emblem of the Government of the Republic of Korea.svg

Minister of Employment and Labor
Announced 23 June 2025
Assumed office 21 July 2025

Kim Young-hoon 250806.jpg
Kim Young-hoon
[52] [50]
Emblem of the Government of the Republic of Korea.svg

Minister of Gender Equality and Family
Announced 13 August 2025
Assumed office TBD

Won Min-kyong's portrait (2024.03).jpg
Won Min-kyong  [ ko ]
[36]
Emblem of the Government of the Republic of Korea.svg

Minister of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport
Announced 11 July 2025
Assumed office 31 July 2025

Kim Yoon-deok 2021.jpg
Kim Yoon-deok  [ ko ]
[53] [54]
Emblem of the Government of the Republic of Korea.svg

Minister of Oceans and Fisheries
Announced 23 June 2025
Assumed office 23 July 2025

jeonjaesu yiweon.jpg
Chun Jae-soo  [ ko ]
[55] [56]
Emblem of the Government of the Republic of Korea.svg

Minister of SMEs and Startups
Announced 23 June 2025
Assumed office 23 July 2025

Han Seong-suk's portrait (2025.07).jpg
Han Seong-sook
[57] [56]

Other non-member attendees

Cabinet of President Lee Jae Myung
  Serving in an acting capacity

Source: [58]

OfficeMinisterRef.
Emblem of South Korea.svg

Chief of Staff to the President
Assumed office 4 June 2025

Kang Hoon-sik's Portrait (2025.7).png
Kang Hoon-sik  [ ko ]
[59]
Emblem of the Office of the President of the Republic of Korea (Logo only).svg

Director of National Security Office
Assumed office 4 June 2025

Wi Sung Lac 20250203.jpg
Wi Sung-lac  [ ko ]
Emblem of South Korea.svg

Chief Presidential Secretary for Policy
Assumed office 6 June 2025

Kim Yong-beom's portrait (2025.07).jpg
Kim Yong-beom  [ ko ]
[60]
Emblem of the Government of the Republic of Korea.svg

Minister of Government Policy Coordination
Assumed office 24 June 2025

Yin Chang Lie Zhao Pian .jpg
Yoon Chang-ryul  [ ko ]
[61]
Emblem of the Government of the Republic of Korea.svg

Minister of Personnel Management
Assumed office 20 July 2025

Choi Dong-seok's portrait (2025.07).jpg
Choi Dong-seok
[62]
Emblem of the Government of the Republic of Korea.svg

Minister of Government Legislation
Assumed office 13 July 2025

Jo Won-cheol's portrait (2025.07).jpg
Jo Won-cheol
[63]
Emblem of the Government of the Republic of Korea.svg

Minister of Food and Drug Safety
Assumed office 27 May 2022
Holdover from Yoon cabinet

Oh Yoo-kyung's portrait (2025.08).jpg
Oh Yoo-kyung  [ ko ]
[64]
Emblem of the Government of the Republic of Korea.svg

Chairperson of the Fair Trade Commission
Announced 13 August 2025
Assumed office TBD

Ju Biung-ghi [36]
Emblem of the Government of the Republic of Korea.svg

Chairperson of the Financial Services Commission
Announced 13 August 2025
Assumed office TBD

Lee Eog-weon  [ ko ] [36]
Emblem of the Government of the Republic of Korea.svg

Director General of Free Trade Negotiations
Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy
Assumed office 11 June 2025

Yeo Han-koo 20220207.jpg
Yeo Han-koo
[65]
Logo of Seoul, South Korea.svg

Mayor of Seoul
Assumed office 8 April 2021

Oh Se-hoon (2023).jpg
Oh Se-hoon

Timeline

Cabinet of Lee Jae Myung

References

  1. "Lee sworn in as S. Korean preside". Yonhap News Agency. 4 June 2025. Retrieved 4 June 2025.
  2. "Lee Jae Myung set to be South Korea's new president, exit poll shows". The Straits Times. 3 June 2025. ISSN   0585-3923 . Retrieved 3 June 2025.
  3. "Lee Jae Myung to take presidential oath at National Assembly at 11 am". Hankook Ilbo . 4 June 2025. Retrieved 4 June 2025 via The Korea Times.
  4. 1 2 Kim, Seung-yeon (4 June 2025). "DP's Lee taps top campaign aide Kim Min-seok as prime minister". Yonhap News Agency . Retrieved 4 June 2025.
  5. "DP lawmaker nominated as prime minister". Yonhap News Agency. 4 June 2025. Retrieved 5 June 2025.
  6. 1 2 Jung, Min-ho (4 June 2025). "President nominates Rep. Kim Min-seok as prime minister". The Korea Times. Retrieved 5 June 2025.
  7. Kim, Jack; Yim, Hyunsu (5 June 2025). "South Korea's new President Lee begins moves to tackle economic 'crisis'". Reuters. Retrieved 7 June 2025.
  8. 1 2 "South Korea's Lee names first civilian defence minister in decades". Reuters. 23 June 2025. Retrieved 24 June 2025.
  9. Kim, Tong-hyung (23 June 2025). "President Lee picks South Korea's first civilian defense chief in 64 years". AP News.
  10. 1 2 Park, Boram (23 June 2025). "(profile) Veteran lawmaker Chung nominated for second term as unification minister". Yonhap News Agency . Retrieved 23 June 2025.
  11. Jung, Min-kyung (24 June 2025). "Parties clash at PM nominee's confirmation hearing". The Korea Herald . Retrieved 24 June 2025.
  12. "Parties clash at PM nominee's confirmation hearing". KBS World. 24 June 2025. Retrieved 24 June 2025.
  13. Kim, Haye-eh (25 June 2025). "Rival parties clash during confirmation hearing for PM nominee". Yonhap News Agency . Retrieved 26 June 2025.
  14. "PM nominee to undergo 2nd day of confirmation hearings". The Korea Herald. 25 June 2025. Retrieved 25 June 2025.
  15. Bae, Yunkyung (25 June 2025). "Prime Minister nominee Kim Min-seok answers questions at a confirmation hearing held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, the day before". Maelil Business Newspaper. Retrieved 25 June 2025.
  16. Jung, Min-kyung (29 June 2025). "Tensions escalate as DP pushes to approve PM nominee, extra budget". The Korea Herald . Retrieved 30 June 2025.
  17. "Lee names six new ministers, including two deputy prime ministers". Korea JoongAng Daily. 29 June 2025. Retrieved 30 June 2025.
  18. Jung, Min-kyung (29 June 2025). "Lee's longtime aide, political heavyweight tapped as justice minister". The Korea Herald . Retrieved 30 June 2025.
  19. Choi, Jeong-yoon (29 June 2025). "First female university president tapped as education minister". The Korea Herald . Retrieved 30 June 2025.
  20. 1 2 Chang, Dong-woo (3 July 2025). "Kim Min-seok officially appointed as S. Korean PM following Nat'l Assembly approval". Yonhap News Agency . Retrieved 5 July 2025.
  21. "PM inaugurated at ceremony in Sejong". The Korea Herald. 7 July 2025. Retrieved 13 July 2025.
  22. Shin, Mitch (30 June 2025). "South Korean President Nominates Prime Minister and Ministers". The Diplomat. Retrieved 4 July 2025.
  23. "President Lee completes his Cabinet with new land, culture ministers picks". Korea JoongAng Daily. 11 July 2025. Retrieved 12 July 2025.
  24. 1 2 Son, Ji-hyoung (11 July 2025). "Lee Jae Myung finalizes Cabinet lineup with 2 minister picks". The Korea Herald . Retrieved 12 July 2025.
  25. Kim, Seo-young; Kim, Tae-jun (13 July 2025). "President Lee appoints 12 vice-ministerial officials". The Chosun Daily . Retrieved 13 July 2025.
  26. 1 2 Kim, Arin (14 July 2025). "Assembly starts packed week of hearings for Lee's inaugural Cabinet". The Korea Herald . Retrieved 14 July 2025.
  27. 1 2 Kim, Arin (8 July 2025). "Lee's Cabinet picks to face hearings starting next week". The Korea Herald . Retrieved 12 July 2025.
  28. "Confirmation hearing for science minister nominee". Yonhap News Agency. 14 July 2025. Retrieved 14 July 2025.
  29. Oh, Seok-min (14 July 2025). "Oceans minister nominee vows to create 'strategic base' for Arctic shipping route era". Yonhap News Agency . Retrieved 14 July 2025.
  30. Kim, Ji-hwan; Seo, Il-won (15 July 2025). "Ahn Kyu-baek proposes wartime operational control transfer under Lee Jae-myung". ChosunBiz . Retrieved 15 July 2025.
  31. "Each candidate is sworn in at a confirmation hearing held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 15th". Maeil Business Newspaper. 15 July 2025. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
  32. "李대통령, 이진숙 지명 철회 '첫 낙마'…강선우는 임명 수순(종합)" (in Korean). 韩联社. 20 July 2025.
  33. "강선우, 전격 사퇴…"국민께 사죄, 성찰하며 살겠다"" (in Korean). 韩联社. 23 July 2025.
  34. 1 2 Chae, Yun-hwan (29 June 2025). "(LEAD) Lee nominates veteran bureaucrat Koo Yun-cheol as finance minister". Yonhap News Agency .
  35. 1 2 3 4 임, 형섭 (18 July 2025). "李대통령, 정성호 법무·구윤철 기획재정부 장관 임명안 재가". Yonhap News Agency (in Korean). Archived from the original on 18 July 2025. Retrieved 18 July 2025.
  36. 1 2 3 4 "(LEAD) Lee names new education, gender ministers". Yonhap News Agency. 13 August 2025.
  37. Kang, Hyeon-woo (23 June 2025). "LG's AI chief named science minister nominee". The Korea Herald . Retrieved 23 June 2025.
  38. 임형섭. "李대통령, 배경훈 과기부장관 임명안 재가…새 정부 처음". 韩联社. Retrieved 16 July 2025.
  39. Ji, Da-gyum (23 June 2025). "Cho Hyun: Veteran diplomat with broad global, trade experience". The Korea Herald . Retrieved 23 June 2025.
  40. 1 2 3 설승은. "李대통령, 정동영·안규백·권오을 장관 임명안 재가". 韩联社 . Retrieved 25 July 2025.
  41. Chae, Yun-hwan (29 June 2025). "(URGENT) Lee names 5-term lawmaker Jeong Seong-ho justice minister". Yonhap News Agency .
  42. "South Korea's Lee names first civilian defence minister in decades". Reuters. 23 June 2025. Retrieved 23 June 2025.
  43. 설승은. "李대통령, 윤호중 행안부 장관 임명안 재가". 韩联社. Retrieved 19 July 2025.
  44. Park, Boram (23 June 2025). "(profile) 3-term lawmaker from conservative bloc named as veterans minister". Yonhap News Agency . Retrieved 23 June 2025.
  45. "Choi Hwi-young appointed Minister of Culture, sparking debate over qualifications". ChosunBiz . 11 July 2025. Retrieved 11 July 2025.
  46. "최휘영 문체장관 "콘텐츠산업 도약으로 K-컬처 300조원 달성"" (in Korean). 韩联社. 31 July 2025.
  47. Hong, Kyung-ui (23 June 2025). "尹 정부 마지막 농식품부 장관 송미령 유임". Sisa News (in Korean). Retrieved 23 June 2025.
  48. Park, Han-na (29 June 2025). "Economic technocrat-turned-Doosan executive nominated as industry minister". The Korea Herald .
  49. 법무장관 정성호·민정수석 봉욱..경제부총리 구윤철·사회부총리 이진숙. 4th.kr (in Korean). 29 June 2025.
  50. 1 2 3 고동욱 (21 July 2025). "李대통령, 김영훈 노동·김성환 환경·정은경 복지장관 임명안 재가". 연합뉴스 (in Korean).
  51. Ahn, Kyung-min (23 June 2025). 김성환 환경부 장관 내정자는 누구? '이재명표 기후 정책' 주도. Kyunghyang Shinmun (in Korean). Retrieved 23 June 2025.
  52. Choi, Jeong-yoon (23 June 2025). "Kim Young-hoon: Former KCTU head to lead Labor Ministry". The Korea Herald . Retrieved 23 June 2025.
  53. "Kim Yoon-deok nominated as South Korea's first Minister of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport". ChosunBiz . 11 July 2025. Retrieved 11 July 2025.
  54. "김윤덕 국토교통부 장관 취임…"주거정책 근본적 전환 필요"" (in Korean). 韩联社. 31 July 2025.
  55. Shin, Min-jung (23 June 2025). 해양수산부 장관 후보자에 전재수 의원…'해수부 부산 이전' 속도낼 듯. The Hankyoreh (in Korean). Retrieved 23 June 2025.
  56. 1 2 임형섭. "李대통령, 김상환·오영준·전재수·한성숙 임명안 재가". 韩联社 . Retrieved 23 July 2025.
  57. Hong, In-seok (23 June 2025). "Han Seong-sook appointed as Minister of Small and Medium Enterprises and Startups". ChosunBiz . Retrieved 23 June 2025.
  58. 국무회의규정. www.law.go.kr. Retrieved 19 November 2020.
  59. "(URGENT) Lee appoints three-term DP lawmaker Kang Hoon-sik as chief of staff". Yonhap News Agency . 4 June 2025. Retrieved 23 June 2025.
  60. "Top office appoints national policy director, newly established fiscal policy adviser". Korea JoongAng Daily . 6 June 2025.
  61. Lee, Ju-hyeong (23 June 2025). "Yoon Chang-ryeol nominated to lead Korea's Office for Government Policy Coordination". ChosunBiz . Retrieved 23 June 2025.
  62. Park, So-jeong (20 July 2025). "Choi Dong-seok appointed as first head of South Korea's Ministry of Personnel Management". ChosunBiz .
  63. Lee, Hyeon-seung (13 July 2025). "Jo Won-cheol appointed as South Korea's new Minister of Legislation amid Daejang-dong case". ChosunBiz .
  64. Kim, Kyung-rak (29 June 2025). 인공지능 의약품 법적 기준 만든 오유경 식약처장 유임. The Hankyoreh (in Korean). Retrieved 30 June 2025.
  65. Jack Kim; Cynthia Kim; Hyunjoo Jin (10 June 2025). Sharon Singleton; Susan Fenton (eds.). "South Korea appoints ex-trade chief Yeo Han-koo as new trade minister". Reuters.