Liberal law professor of Seoul National University Cho Kuk has been named to become the senior secretary for civil affairs for South korea’s new president Moon Jae-in in another unconventional choice for the administration succeeding an impeached president

Yoon Young-chan, former vice president of Naver who worked as social media campaigning chief in Moon’s election camp, was named as his chief spokesman and Cho Hyun-ock, a visiting professor at Ewha Women’s University, was recruited as senior secretary for personnel affairs, the first female to be in charge of Moon’s recruitment, said chief of staff Im Jong-seok in announcing the second list of names for the staff and senior members to the administration under Moon just a day in office.

Cho, 52-year-old professor and one of the most cited Korean scholars in Korean legal field, would oversee a post that mostly went to prosecutors and the pick underscores the new president’s will to reform the law enforcement authority and cut off political influence in judiciary affairs, said Im.

Cho, known for his progressive posture, spearheaded reform work of the Democratic Party when it was led by Moon, and since has been his avid supporter. Cho also hosted Moon’s hugging event three days before the election day on a street near Hongik University.

Cho Hyun-ock became the first female senior secretary in charge of personnel affairs. She had worked for human resources management during the former Roh Moo-hyun administration and served as family policy chief at the Seoul Metropolitan government. During Moon’s election campaign, she served as vice chief of gender equality department.

Yoon, former journalist at daily newspaper Dong-A Ilbo, worked as a director of media services at Naver and committee chief at the Korea Internet Corporations Association.

Hong Nam-ki, the first vice minister of science, ICT and future planning, was named to head the Office of Government Policy Coordination. Hong previously worked for economy-related ministries in charge of budgeting, economic and fiscal policy making.

By Kang Gye-man

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