S Korean President names 5 new ministers in cabinet reshuffle

Seoul, Aug. 30 (IANS): South Korean President Moon Jae-in on Thursday named five new ministers, including a Defence Chief, in his first cabinet reshuffle since he took office in May 2018.

Jeong Kyeong-doo, the incumbent Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), was nominated to replace Defence Minister Song Young-moo, Xinhua news agency reported.

Yoo Eun-hae of the ruling Democratic Party, a two-term lawmaker, was named the new Education Minister who doubles as Deputy Prime Minister for Social Affairs.

Sung Yun-mo, the current Chief of the Korea Intellectual Property Office, was tapped to lead the Trade, Industry and Energy Ministry.

The Labour Ministry will be led by former Vice Labour Minister Lee Jae-kap.

Jin Sun-mee, a two-term ruling party lawmaker, was nominated as the new Minister of Gender Equality and Family.

Four other vice ministerial-level officials were named, including the head of the Office of Planning and Coordination at the spy agency, as well as chiefs of the Defence Acquisition Programme Administration, the Central Officials Training Institute and the Cultural Heritage Administration.