Yoon to Replace Industry Ministry in 'One-Point' Reshuffle... Additional Cabinet Changes for Diplomacy and Security Soon

Minister of Industry Appoints And Deok-geun as Chief Trade Negotiator
Nominee And Pledges "Leading Corporate Innovation... Doing Best for Dynamic Growth"
Foreign Ministry, Employment Ministry, National Intelligence Service Also Subject to Cabinet Reshuffle

President Yoon Suk-yeol on the 17th nominated Ahn Deok-geun, Director-General of Trade Negotiations, as the candidate for Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy. While government agencies not included in the first cabinet reshuffle, such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Employment and Labor, Ministry of Science and ICT, and Financial Services Commission, are being considered, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy is the first to undergo a one-point replacement. The rest of the cabinet reshuffle is expected to be announced soon after the completion of the verification and appointment procedures.

Kim Dae-gi, Chief of Staff to the President, held a briefing at the Yongsan Presidential Office in the afternoon to announce this appointment. Candidate Ahn is a former professor in the Department of International Studies at Seoul National University and served as the first Director-General of Trade Negotiations under the Yoon administration. He graduated from Daegu Deokwon High School and Seoul National University with a degree in International Economics, and served as a specialist on the Economic Division 1 of the 18th Presidential Transition Committee.

Trade Minister nominee Andeok Geun, head of the Trade Negotiations Headquarters, is heading to the podium to express his thoughts on the afternoon of the 17th at the Yongsan Presidential Office building in Seoul.
Photo by Yonhap News

Chief of Staff Kim said, "Candidate Ahn is a former professor at the Graduate School of International Studies at Seoul National University, an international trade expert who combines both theory and practice, and currently serves as the Director-General of Trade Negotiations, demonstrating outstanding work capabilities by responding flawlessly to various trade issues." He explained the background of the appointment, saying, "Based on the candidate's proven work and abilities and extensive domestic and international networks, we expect him to swiftly promote export growth, foster core strategic industries, and innovate industrial regulations, thereby revitalizing our economy and leading the expansion of South Korea's economic territory."

Candidate Ahn also stated, "The industrial sector is striving for change and innovation more than ever in the face of rapidly changing global circumstances and environment. Leveraging the global network I have built as Director-General of Trade Negotiations, I will do my best to communicate more closely with companies so that our businesses can lead innovation and grow dynamically in the global market."

Minister Bang Moon-kyu is expected to run in the general election in April next year. The ruling People Power Party has been requesting cabinet members to run in the election. Minister Bang, a graduate of Suwon Suseong High School (24th class), is reportedly being asked by the People Power Party to run in the Suwon area, which is a stronghold of the Democratic Party of Korea.

However, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy is undergoing a leadership change again after just three months. The Presidential Office commented, "That is somewhat a painful part," adding, "Considering the role of the Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy and the ability to work in the National Assembly, these days the political sector plays a significant role as the brain of our country," and concluded that there is no overall loss to the nation. Candidate Ahn will be appointed after going through the National Assembly confirmation hearing.

Meanwhile, the rest of the cabinet reshuffle is expected to take place as early as the beginning of next week. The focus will be on reorganizing the foreign and security line, with Foreign Minister Park Jin likely to be included in the next reshuffle. Minister Park is expected to prepare for the general election after being replaced. Former Ambassador to the UN Cho Tae-yeol is reportedly a strong candidate to succeed Minister Park. Other names being considered include Jang Ho-jin, First Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Hwang Jun-guk, the current Ambassador to the UN.

Personnel changes at the National Intelligence Service are also anticipated. Cho Tae-yong, the current Director of the National Security Office, is considered a strong candidate for the new NIS Director. If Director Cho moves to the NIS, Lee Yong-jun, Chairman of the Sejong Institute, is mentioned as a potential new National Security Office chief. Additionally, Jo Jun-mo, a professor of economics at Sungkyunkwan University, is being considered for Minister of Employment and Labor; Lee Yong-hoon, President of Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology, and Yoo Ji-sang, former President of Kwangwoon University, are among those considered for Minister of Science and ICT. However, regarding Minister of Justice Han Dong-hoon, who is expected to play a role in the general election, there is speculation about a 'one-point replacement' at the end of the year or early next year to maximize effectiveness.

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