Photo : YONHAP News
President Lee Jae Myung has approved the appointment of three Cabinet ministers.
Chief presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung said Tuesday that the president approved the appointment of Lee Hyoung-il as the deputy prime minister and finance minister, Kang Shin-chul as the defense minister, and Hong Jee-sun as the land and transport minister.
The president, who departed on Monday for a weeklong trip to New York for attendance at the United Nations General Assembly and Mexico for a state visit, likely gave his authorization after landing in New York.
Out of the president’s six Cabinet nominees, Gender Equality Minister nominee Yong Hye-in resigned amid criticism for insisting that she keep her proportional representation seat in parliament, even after she assumes the Cabinet role.
Justice Minister nominee Kim Seung-won stepped down as he faced backlash over allegations that he had illegally lobbied the drug safety ministry to approve a clinical trial for a COVID-19 drug in 2021.
The National Assembly has yet to finalize its report on the confirmation hearing of SMEs and Startups Minister nominee Lee So-young.