Ministry of Unification Operates Under Acting Vice Minister Kim Ki-woong's Leadership

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo In-ho] With the resignation of former Minister of Unification Lee In-young, the Ministry of Unification switched to a deputy minister acting system on the 10th.

A Ministry of Unification official stated on the day, "Kim Ki-woong, the new deputy minister, will be appointed as of today," and added, "Until a new minister is appointed, the ministry will operate under the deputy minister acting system."

Deputy Minister Kim attended President Yoon Seok-yeol's inauguration ceremony held at the National Assembly in Yeouido in the morning, then returned to the Gwanghwamun Government Seoul Office and immediately began work.

Deputy Minister Kim, who was appointed the day before, plans to start work immediately without holding a separate inauguration ceremony to minimize any gap.

Instead of an inauguration ceremony, he plans to have a brief introductory meeting with staff in the afternoon and then visit the press room to greet reporters.

The confirmation hearing for Kwon Young-se, the nominee for Minister of Unification, will be held on the 12th, after the new government takes office.

Former Minister Lee In-young resigned without a separate farewell ceremony as his resignation was accepted the day before.

Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Chung Eui-yong postponed his farewell ceremony, which was scheduled for the afternoon of the previous day.

Minister Chung told reporters the day before, "There should be no gap in state affairs, and it seems President Moon Jae-in firmly believes that the foreign and security ministries should remain in office until successors are appointed," explaining that the originally planned farewell ceremony was postponed.

He added, "I think the farewell ceremony will be held urgently around the day after tomorrow," and "My successor (nominee Park Jin) is expected to be appointed around the 11th or 12th."

Minister Chung had originally planned to hold a private farewell ceremony on the afternoon of the 9th and then briefly share his farewell thoughts with foreign ministry correspondents.

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