President Lee Nominates Choi Hwi-young as Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism and Kim Yoon-duk as Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport

[Financial News] President Lee Jae-myung nominated Choi Hwi-young, CEO of Nol Universe, as the candidate for Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, and Kim Yoon-duk, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, as the candidate for Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport on the 11th.
Kang Hoon-sik, Chief of Staff to the President, announced these appointments at a briefing at the Yongsan Presidential Office in the afternoon, stating, "With the nomination of these two candidates, the first cabinet minister appointments of the Lee Jae-myung administration have been completed."
Choi, nominated as Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, has a private sector background as a journalist, portal worker, and travel platform entrepreneur, and has been active in the content industry and platform field. The Presidential Office explained, "He is a candidate with a broad understanding of the overall fields managed by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, such as culture, sports, tourism, and public relations, and has a market-oriented sense."
Kim, the candidate for Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, is a current three-term member of the National Assembly and has served as a member of the National Assembly's Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee. The Presidential Office stated, "We believe Kim is capable of a practical approach that meets the public's expectations in key policy areas such as real estate, transportation, and mobility," and "He is the right person to implement the President's philosophy of respecting market principles while curbing speculation and protecting end-users."
The number of ministers from the current National Assembly, including this appointment, has increased to a total of 12. Regarding some criticisms of a 'cabinet system orientation,' Chief Kang dismissed it by saying, "Our constitution contains elements of a cabinet system, but it is an overstatement to define it as a cabinet system."
The Presidential Office announced that a dedicated task force under the Senior Secretary for Political Affairs is being operated in relation to this appointment. Chief Kang stated, "Ahead of the hearings, we are comprehensively reviewing the verification contents and issues of the candidates and also considering public opinion."

west@fnnews.com Sung Seok-woo Reporter