S. Korean president names presidential staff, cabinet members

South Korean President Moon Jae-in presides over National Security Council at the Presidential Blue House in Seoul, South Korea, May 14, 2017. [Photo/Agencies]

President Moon told reporters that he will discuss the new government's policy stance on unification, security and diplomatic affairs together with the two new special aides.

On the economic front, Chang Ha-sung, an economics professor at Korea University in Seoul, was appointed as a new presidential chief of staff for policy which was newly created under the Moon government. The post is tasked with coordinating economic policies.

Chang is a celebrated South Korean intellectual who has been actively participating in civic group activities for the reform of conglomerates, or chaebol. He focused on the reform of corporate governance in chaebols.

The appointment reflected Moon's campaign pledge on the chaebol reform, which was strongly demanded by the general public over the deep-rooted collusive ties between politicians and businessmen that were again revealed in the impeachment of Moon's predecessor.

President Moon told reporters that Chang is a person most suited to push for an economic democratization and an income-based growth by changing economic and social policies that are centered on people and small firms.

Two cabinet members in charge of economic and diplomatic affairs were appointed first, indicating Moon's focus on the two main issues and their urgency.

Kim Dong-yeon, president of Ajou University, was named finance minister who doubles as deputy prime minister.

Kim lost his father when he was 11 years old, and has since then served as a breadwinner. He is a self-made man who passed a civil service exam and assumed senior posts for economic affairs in the cabinet and presidential office.

President Moon said Kim is a capable economic bureaucrat who has a comprehensive insight and a capability of coordination, adding that he can sympathize the difficulties of people as he became a senior government official from a child breadwinner.

Kang Kyung-hwa, a special advisor to the UN secretary-general, was tapped to lead the foreign ministry. Kang will become the country's first female foreign minister following the parliamentary confirmation hearings.

A prime minister nominee is required to be approved by the National Assembly, but other cabinet members take office after the confirmation hearings.