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S.Korea names new deputy prime ministers for economic, social affairs

Xinhua, December 21, 2015 Adjust font size:

South Korean President Park Geun-hye on Monday nominated two new deputy prime ministers for economic and social affairs as part of a partial cabinet reshuffle.

Yoo Il-ho, lawmaker of the ruling Saenuri Party, was named as new finance minister and deputy prime minister for economic affairs to replace Choi Kyung-hwan, according to the presidential office.

The office said that Yoo is a right person for the position to push for the government's policy to reinvigorate the economy and carry out structural reforms because he served as the minister of land, infrastructure and transport until recently and as the chief of the ruling party's policy planning committee.

Lee Joon-sik, engineering professor of the Seoul National University, was nominated as deputy prime minister for social affairs as he is a right person to lead the country's educational reform and coordinate various social affairs with his career as a professor for about 20 years, the office said.

The nominees should go through parliamentary confirmation hearings, but they do not necessarily need approval from the parliament. The post of the prime minister is required in the country to receive parliamentary approval.

President Park also promoted current vice finance minister to fresh trade and industry minister, while naming new ministers of home affairs and gender equality. Endit