South Korean President Moon Jae-in carried out a ministerial-level reshuffle as the government faces unprecedented challenges on the diplomatic and economic front, but still kept on foreign and defense ministers despite criticism over their performance.

Joh Sung-wook, former business professor at Seoul National University, was chosen to head the anti-trust watchdog Fair Trade Commission. Eun Sung-soo, head of state-run Export-Import Bank of Korea, was nominated as the new head of top financial authority Financial Services Commission.

Han Sang-hyuk, JeongSe Law Firm lawyer, was picked as the next chief of Korea Communications Commission in charge of overseeing online and ICT licensing affairs.

Cho Kuk, former senior presidential secretary for civil affairs, was named minister of justice regardless of strong opposition from the conservative front.

Choi Ki-young, an electrical and computer engineering professor at Seoul National University, was tapped as the minister for science and ICT. Kim Hyun-soo, former vice minister of agriculture was promoted to head the ministry. Lee Jung-ok, professor of sociology at Daegu Catholic University was recruited as new gender equality minister.

Lee Soo-hyuck, ruling Democratic Party lawmaker, was proposed as the new Korean ambassador to the United States. He was the chief negotiator to the six-party nuclear talks under Roh Moo-hyun administration.

Park Sam-deuk, a former president of National Defense University, was chosen as new head of the Patriots and Veterans Affairs. Jeong Se-hyun, former unification minister, was tapped as new deputy chair of the presidential National Unification Advisory Council.

The latest Cabinet reshuffle came five months after Moon replaced seven ministers in March.

By Park Yong-beom and Cho Jeehyun

[ⓒ Pulse by Maeil Business Newspaper & mk.co.kr, All rights reserved]