Democratic Party of Korea praises Cheong Wa Dae's mid-sized Cabinet reshuffle as merit-based appointments that will stabilize livelihoods and drive future growth

The Democratic Party of Korea said on the 30th that Cheong Wa Dae's mid-sized Cabinet reshuffle was a "merit-based selection of officials who will help stabilize livelihoods and drive future growth."
Democratic Party spokesperson Lee Yong-woo said at the National Assembly on the day that the appointments were "pragmatic personnel decisions that place talented people with expertise, field experience and execution capability in the right positions," adding, "We expect the right people in each area, from the economy, housing and innovative growth to defense, judicial reform and gender equality, to inject new energy into state affairs."
He described Lee Hyoung-il, the nominee for Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs and Minister of Finance and Economy, as a policy expert with broad knowledge of economic policy and the ability to respond to crises. He said Hong Ji-seon, nominee for Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, is a field-oriented bureaucrat who has extensive experience in both housing policy design and implementation. He also called Kang Shin-cheol, nominee for Minister of National Defense, a security expert with rich experience in combined operations.
He added that the three nominees' expertise and field experience would lead to concrete progress in stabilizing livelihoods, resolving housing problems and reforming national defense.
The spokesperson also said the sitting lawmakers nominated as ministers had already proven their expertise in areas related to their respective ministries. He said Kim Seung-won, nominee for Minister of Justice, had led efforts to reform the judiciary and overhaul the criminal justice system. Soyoung Lee, nominee for Minister of SMEs and Startups, has consistently worked to foster innovative companies and protect small business owners. Yong Hye-in, nominee for Minister of Gender Equality and Family, is a principled politician who has consistently spoken for gender equality, vulnerable groups, care and family rights.
He also expressed expectations for the officials called to Cheong Wa Dae. He said Lee Hae-min, Senior Presidential Secretary for AI Future Planning, Lee Won-ju, aide for mega projects, Ha Jung-woo, vice chair of the National AI Strategy Committee, and the appointment of Kim Kyung-soo as special adviser on political affairs would all provide strong support for Korea's push to become one of the world's top three AI powers, for mega project implementation and for national unity.
Meanwhile, after the People Power Party criticized the Cheong Wa Dae reshuffle as a "tail-cutting" and "stubborn" reshuffle, the spokesperson shot back that it was "obsessed only with smearing the nominees through lies and distortion."
He then urged the party not to hinder reform and the reshuffle with baseless allegations and false agitation. "What is needed now is not smear campaigns for political warfare, but a public-level review of the nominees' capabilities, qualifications and policy vision," he said. "Stop the baseless political attacks and approach the confirmation hearings with a responsible attitude."

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