First Vice Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport: "Recruitment vs. Promotion"... Speculation on LH President as "Lee's Close Associate"

Eyes on Lee Jaemyung Administration’s Key Appointments
Kim Seyong of Korea University Considered for First Vice Minister
Internal Candidates: Jung Kyunghoon and Kim Itak in the Running
Current Official Kim Gyucheol Seen as Strong Contender
LH Presidency: “Little Lee” Lee Heonwook Tipped for the Role
“Still Just Speculation?A Surprise Pick Is Possible”

There is growing attention on the appointments for the First Vice Minister of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and the President of Korea Land & Housing Corporation (LH), who will play key roles in implementing President Lee Jaemyung’s housing supply policies. For the First Vice Minister position, there is debate between promoting from within to ensure organizational stability and recruiting externally to strengthen policy initiatives, with several candidates being considered. For the LH presidency, speculation is mounting that a close associate of President Lee, who can realize his housing philosophy on the ground, may be appointed.

First Vice Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport: Weighing External Recruitment vs. Internal Promotion

According to government sources on November 12, candidates with ties to the ruling party and hailing from the Honam region are being mentioned for the First Vice Minister position. Among them, Kim Seyong, a professor at Korea University from Gwangju, is a prominent figure. Professor Kim previously led public housing policies as President of Seoul Housing & Communities Corporation (SH) and Gyeonggi Housing & Urban Development Corporation (GH). During the 20th presidential election in 2022, he served as an advisor to the Real Estate Reform Committee of President Lee’s campaign, and after the launch of the Lee administration, he participated as a planning committee member in the National Policy Planning Committee, helping to shape the direction of housing policy. Under the Moon Jaein administration, he served as a special committee member of the Presidential Committee on Policy Planning.

During his tenure as SH President, he introduced Korea’s first equity accumulation-type housing (Savings Housing). After moving to GH, he expanded this model to Gyeonggi Province. The Lee administration’s first public housing project, the “Savings Housing,” is also said to have originated from his ideas. In a phone interview with The Asia Business Daily, Professor Kim said, “Personnel matters are not for me to comment on,” declining to elaborate further.

Among internal candidates from the Ministry, Jung Kyunghoon, CEO of SG Rail, from Wanju, North Jeolla Province, and Kim Itak, CEO of the Urban and Future Research Institute, from Yeosu, South Jeolla Province, are being considered. Jung entered public service after passing the 35th Higher Civil Service Examination and held key positions such as Director General for Construction Policy, Director General for Land and Urban Affairs, and Director General for Transport and Logistics at the Ministry. He retired after serving as Director General of Planning and Coordination during the Moon administration. Kim Itak, after passing the 36th examination, served as Director for Housing Policy, Director for Aviation Policy, Director for Policy Planning, and Standing Member of the Central Land Expropriation Committee, and was Land and Transport Secretary at the Presidential Office under the Moon administration.

Jung Kyunghoon, CEO of SG Rail (left), Kim Itak, CEO of the Urban and Future Research Institute (center), Moon Sungyo, Director General of Planning and Coordination at the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.

Among current officials at the Ministry, Kim Gyucheol, Director General for Housing and Land, is considered a strong candidate. Born in Yeongdeok, North Gyeongsang Province, he passed the 41st Higher Civil Service Examination and has served as Director for Residential Welfare Policy, Director for Technology and Safety Policy, and Deputy Commissioner of the Multifunctional Administrative City Construction Agency. He was appointed Director General for Housing and Land in January last year. He led the Public Housing Task Force in the latter part of the Moon administration and served as Director for Residential Welfare Policy under the Yoon Sukyeol government. He is regarded as a practical administrator without strong political leanings and enjoys high trust within the Ministry. After the appointment of former Vice Minister Lee Sangkyung, who came from outside the Ministry, there has been growing fatigue regarding external hires, and there is a consensus internally that “this time, the position should go to someone from within.” Another internal candidate, Moon Sungyo, Director General of Planning and Coordination, is from Jeju and entered public service after passing the 37th examination.

LH President: Speculation Centers on “Little Lee Jaemyung” Lee Heonwook

For the LH presidency, which will be responsible for driving the Lee administration’s nationwide housing supply, Lee Heonwook, an attorney known as a “real Lee loyalist,” and Kim Heondong, former SH President, are being mentioned.

Although the official announcement for the LH presidency has not yet been made, rumors are already circulating within government circles that Lee Heonwook has been tapped for the role. A senior official at the Presidential Office denied the rumors, saying they are “groundless,” but within the ruling party, it is already being treated as a foregone conclusion. Attorney Lee, originally from Uiryeong, South Gyeongsang Province, became acquainted with President Lee while working on policies related to Jubilee Bank and Seongnam FC during Lee’s tenure as mayor of Seongnam. When Lee became Governor of Gyeonggi Province, Lee Heonwook was appointed as President of GH, where he designed and promoted Lee-style housing models such as “Basic Housing.” Within the ruling party, he is seen as “the person whose policy philosophy most closely aligns with President Lee,” especially as the administration seeks to formalize its public housing supply model through LH.

Heondong Kim, former president of SH (left), Inho Choi, former member of the National Assembly.

Kim Heondong, born in Seoul, is a former civic activist who led the Real Estate and Construction Reform Headquarters at Citizens’ Coalition for Economic Justice (CCEJ). He is also the younger brother of Kim Taedong, an honorary professor at Sungkyunkwan University who served as Senior Secretary for Economic Affairs to the President under the Kim Daejung administration. Kim Heondong has no direct connection to President Lee. During the Moon administration, he was known as a “critic of real estate policy,” which has led to speculation that he could be appointed as a symbolic figure for public institution reform, distancing the administration from the previous government. While serving as SH President under Mayor Oh Sehoon, he promoted reform-oriented policies such as the introduction of land-lease housing and increased transparency in housing prices.

A senior government official commented, “Under the Lee administration, the role of LH has become more significant and weighty than ever before. Considering LH’s current circumstances and the tasks ahead, finding the right person for the job will not be easy.”

For the presidency of the Housing and Urban Guarantee Corporation (HUG), which recently closed its application period, Choi Inho, former Democratic Party lawmaker and a figure close to the pro-Roh and pro-Moon factions, is considered a strong candidate. A former activist in the 386 movement in Busan, he has established a solid political base. He is also recognized for his refined communication skills and policy communication abilities, honed during his tenure as spokesperson.

Since the First Vice Minister of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport oversees the practical aspects of housing supply policy, and the LH and HUG presidents are responsible for its implementation, these appointments are expected to be a watershed moment for the Lee administration’s housing policy momentum. Another government official remarked, “These are just rumors for now. An unexpected candidate could still be selected.”

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