President Yoon to Announce Cabinet Reshuffle Soon... Minor Changes Expected in Ministry of National Defense and Others

Ministry Reshuffle Discussed for Defense, Culture, and Gender Equality Ministries
Possible Increase in Presidential Office Election Declarations Before and After Reshuffle

There is speculation that President Yoon Suk-yeol may carry out a minor cabinet reshuffle as early as the 11th after returning from his visits to Indonesia and India.

According to Yonhap News on the 10th, a senior official from the Presidential Office said, "Preparations for personnel changes are somewhat ready," adding, "The scope and timing of the reshuffle depend entirely on President Yoon's decision."

The cabinet reshuffle is expected to involve one or two ministers, including the Ministry of National Defense. For the position of Minister of National Defense, Representative Shin Won-sik of the People Power Party is mentioned, and for the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Yoo In-chon, the Special Advisor for Culture and Sports to the Presidential Office, is considered a strong candidate.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Representative Shin, a retired Army Lieutenant General, is regarded as someone who understands President Yoon's defense philosophy well. He accompanied President Yoon as a special aide during the July visits to Lithuania and Poland. Yoo, who served as Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism during the Lee Myung-bak administration, is reportedly expected to bring proven work execution skills and organizational leadership.

Kim Haeng, former emergency committee member of the People Power Party, was mentioned as a candidate for Minister of Gender Equality and Family, but the Presidential Office explained that she has declined the offer.

Meanwhile, there is speculation that around the time of the second cabinet reshuffle, senior secretaries and secretaries from the Presidential Office who wish to run in next year's general election may announce their candidacies. Lee Jin-bok, Chief Secretary for Political Affairs; Kang Seung-gyu, Chief Secretary for Civil Society; and Kim Eun-hye, Chief Secretary for Public Relations, are mentioned as potential candidates. Joo Jin-woo, Chief Secretary for Legal Affairs; Kang Myung-gu, Chief Secretary for National Planning; Jeon Hee-kyung, First Secretary for Political Affairs; and Seo Seung-woo, Secretary for Local Administration, are also considered strong candidates for the general election.

A ruling party official said, "Deputy Ministers who were formerly secretaries, such as Im Sang-jun of the Ministry of Environment, Kim Oh-jin of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, and Park Seong-hoon of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, also have a considerable possibility of running," adding, "President Yoon's current and former aides will all be stepping forward simultaneously."

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