Yoon names new security office deputy, vice foreign minister

President Yoon Suk Yeol tapped his secretary dedicated to economic security as the new deputy of the presidential National Security Office on Wednesday.

Wang Yun-jong, secretary for economic security, was promoted to third deputy director of the NSO. Ahn Se-hyun, an international affairs professor at the University of Seoul, will take Wang's post. The 62-year-old Wang and 52-year-old Ahn will both begin in their positions on Thursday, according to Yoon's office.

Wang has shaped the direction for policy talks over the topic of economic security, such as industrial supply chain cooperation, with counterparts like Japan and the United States, according to the presidential office.

"(Wang) has an understanding in the expanded security policy under the current administration," presidential chief of staff Lee Kwan-sup told reporters.

Wang said he would focus on "cooperation with advanced countries in the field of newly emerging core technologies and cybersecurity."

The announcement came a day after the Cabinet approved the bill that creates the new deputy director position in the NSO. As a result, Yoon's national security adviser Chang Ho-jin will have three deputies: first deputy director Kim Tae-hyo in charge of international affairs, second deputy director Yin Sung-hwan focusing on national defense, plus Wang.

Also, Kang In-sun, presidential spokesperson for the foreign press, was tapped as the new second vice minister of foreign affairs. Kang was a seasoned journalist with expertise in the coverage of international affairs before joining the presidential office. The post has been vacant since her predecessor, Oh Young-joo, was tapped to be the minister of SMEs and startups. Kang will be tasked with multilateral missions, chief of staff Lee said.

Kang Kyung-sung, second vice industry minister, was tapped as the first vice minister, while Choe Nam-ho, spokesperson for the industry minister, was promoted to second vice minister. Yoon also named Cheong In-kyo, head of the Korean Security Agency of Trade and Industry, as the new minister of trade to succeed Ahn Duk-geun, who became the minister of trade, industry and energy on Monday.

The newly appointed vice ministers began working in their position on Wednesday.

Yoon's office also said former senior court judge Yu Chul-hwan was tapped to lead the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission, beginning Wednesday.