South Korean President Lee Jae Myung nominated six new ministers on Sunday, including new finance and defence chiefs, in his first major Cabinet reshuffle since taking office last year.
Vice Finance Minister Lee Hyoung-il was nominated to take over the Finance Ministry, while Kang Shin-chul, a former deputy commander of the South Korea-US Combined Forces Command, was selected as defence minister, according to Yonhap News.
Presidential Chief of Staff Kang Hoon-sik announced the nominations at a news conference.
Vice Land Minister Hong Jee-sun was nominated as land minister, while ruling Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Seung-won was chosen for the justice portfolio.
Yong Hye-in, floor leader of the minor Basic Income Party, was nominated as gender equality minister, while Lee So-young was selected to head the ministry responsible for small and medium-sized enterprises.
The president also nominated senior Environment Ministry official Lee Won-ju to serve as presidential aide for the government’s “megaproject” initiative, a newly created position.
The changes represent the first significant reorganisation of Lee’s Cabinet since he assumed the presidency in June 2025.
The reshuffle comes as the administration faces increasing domestic pressure over rising housing prices and volatility in the stock market, with Lee’s approval rating recently falling to its lowest level since he took office.
The six ministerial nominees will now face confirmation hearings in the National Assembly before taking up their respective posts.