Yoon Presidential Office Economic Chief Choi Sang-mok and Social Chief Ahn Sang-hoon (Update)

Choi Sang-mok, nominated as the Senior Secretary for Economic Affairs at the Presidential Office, and the secretary of the Economic Division 1 of the Transition Committee
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Buaeri] President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol appointed Choi Sang-mok, former Vice Minister of Strategy and Finance, as the Senior Secretary for Economic Affairs at the Presidential Office on the 1st.

Jang Je-won, the chief secretary to the president-elect, announced the Blue House personnel appointments at a press conference held at the Transition Committee in Tongui-dong. With this, the major appointments for the two offices (Secretariat and National Security Office) and five senior secretaries (Economic, Social, Political, Public Relations, and Civil Society) have been finalized.

Professor Ahn Sang-hoon of Seoul National University was appointed as Senior Secretary for Social Affairs, former lawmaker Lee Jin-bok as Senior Secretary for Political Affairs, Choi Young-beom, Vice President of Hyosung Group, as Senior Secretary for Public Relations, and former lawmaker Kang Seung-gyu as Senior Secretary for Civil Society. Kang In-sun, the president-elect’s foreign press spokesperson, was appointed as the spokesperson.

Senior Secretary for Economic Affairs appointee Choi is serving as the secretary of the Economic Subcommittee 1 of the Presidential Transition Committee. He is a career economic bureaucrat who passed the 29th Administrative Examination and has held positions such as Director of Financial Policy at the Ministry of Finance and Economy, Economic and Financial Secretary at the Presidential Office, and First Vice Minister of Strategy and Finance.

Chief Secretary Jang said, "The Republic of Korea is in a golden hour to save the livelihoods suffering amid an unprecedented economic crisis with an uncertain future," adding, "Choi, who has comprehensive expertise in macroeconomics and financial policy, is the right person to overcome the urgent economic challenges we face."

Senior Secretary for Social Affairs appointee Ahn is a professor of social welfare at Seoul National University and an expert in pensions and welfare. He has been active as a member of the Social Welfare and Culture Subcommittee of the Transition Committee and played a key role in designing the social and welfare policies of the Yoon Seok-yeol administration.

Senior Secretary for Political Affairs appointee Lee is a politician who served as a member of the 18th to 20th National Assembly. He was the chairman of the Political Affairs Committee during the 20th National Assembly. Chief Secretary Jang explained that Lee is expected to serve as a communication channel connecting the Presidential Office and the political world.

Senior Secretary for Public Relations appointee Choi is a journalist with over 30 years of experience as a political reporter and editorial writer, having served as the head of SBS News Division. He is currently in charge of communications at Hyosung Group.

Senior Secretary for Civil Society appointee Kang is a former journalist for Hankook Ilbo and Kyunghyang Shinmun and served as a member of the 18th National Assembly. He has held positions such as Seoul City Public Relations Officer and Planning Officer and was active in the party’s Public Relations Planning Headquarters during his time as a lawmaker. Chief Secretary Jang added, "Kang will serve as a communication channel that listens to and conveys the diverse voices of the people across all regions and social classes."

Spokesperson appointee Kang is currently serving as the foreign press spokesperson for President-elect Yoon and is a journalist from Chosun Ilbo. Chief Secretary Jang said, "He is a person with broad perspectives and international sensibility gained through extensive practical experience both domestically and abroad," and expressed expectations that "he will demonstrate his capabilities as a communication channel and messenger for the Yoon Seok-yeol administration."

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