President-elect Yoon Appoints Kang Seok-hoon and Kim Hyun-sook as Policy Special Advisors, Jang Sung-min as Political Special Advisor (Comprehensive)

Special Advisors: Yoon Jin-sik, Lim Tae-hee, Lee Seok-jun, Park Bo-gyun, Kim Young-hwan, Lee Dong-gwan, Yoo Jong-pil

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol appointed Professor Kang Seok-hoon of Sungshin Women's University and Professor Kim Hyun-sook of Soongsil University as policy advisors on the 16th. Jang Sung-min, chairman of the World and Northeast Asia Peace Forum, was appointed as the political advisor. Both Professors Kang and Kim have experience serving as Chief Secretary for Economic Affairs and Chief Secretary for Employment and Welfare at the Blue House during the Park Geun-hye administration, indicating that the economic team is being staffed with personnel from the previous government.

Kang Seok-hoon Policy Special Advisor

Kang, an expert in the economic field, is expected to oversee economic policies going forward. Kim is an expert in women, welfare, and pension fields, with specialization in low birthrate and childcare policies.

Hyun-sook Kim, Policy Special Advisor

Kim Eun-hye, spokesperson for the president-elect, explained in a written briefing, "The new advisors, including Kang and Kim, are policy experts who served as Chief Secretary for Economic Affairs and Chief Secretary for Employment and Welfare during the Park Geun-hye administration, respectively. They have provided in-depth policy support across various fields such as economy, society, and welfare since President-elect Yoon's primary election," adding, "During the election period, President-elect Yoon frequently and comfortably discussed and exchanged opinions with the two."

Advisor Kang served as a member of the 19th National Assembly and was part of the Park Geun-hye administration's transition committee and Chief Secretary for Economic Affairs at the Blue House. Advisor Kim was active as a proportional representative in the 19th National Assembly and notably led reforms such as the civil servant pension reform. Both individuals, who oversaw economic and welfare policies at the Saenuri Party and the Blue House during the Park Geun-hye administration, have successfully made a remarkable comeback this time. In a phone interview with Asia Economy, Advisor Kim said, "I will diligently assist so that the president-elect's philosophy can be reflected in national tasks."

Jang, who served as the situation room chief during the Kim Dae-jung administration, was surprisingly appointed as the political advisor this time. Jang was a competitor against candidate Yoon in the last presidential primary and was known for his critical stance toward President-elect Yoon to the extent that the party's election commission requested restraint.

Former Assemblyman Jang Sung-min. / Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

In a phone interview with Asia Economy, Advisor Jang said, "The president-elect said he is willing to hear voices of opposition and criticism," explaining, "President-elect Yoon has shown inclusive leadership by accepting unrestrained criticism and opposition as the voice of the people. Even those who were almost political adversaries are now voices of criticism that the president-elect is willing to hear at home."

Meanwhile, President-elect Yoon appointed former Minister of Industry and Resources Yoon Jin-sik, former President of Hankyung University Lim Tae-hee, former Director of the Office for Government Policy Coordination Lee Seok-jun, former Vice President of JoongAng Ilbo Park Bo-gyun, former Minister of Science and Technology Kim Young-hwan, President of Digital Seoul Culture and Arts University Lee Dong-gwan, and former Director of the National Assembly Library Yoo Jong-pil as special advisors.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.