Lee appoints senior trade official Park Jung-sung as new trade minister

President Lee Jae Myung has appointed senior trade official Park Jung-sung as the new trade minister, filling the post tasked with leading talks with Washington over Korea’s investment pledge to the United States, a presidential spokesperson said on Friday.

Park, formerly the vice trade minister, will replace Yeo Han-koo, according to presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung. Yeo was dismissed last week for unknown reasons.

Park’s appointment does not require parliamentary approval or a confirmation hearing.

The appointment comes after what Seoul officials have described as meaningful progress in Seoul-Washington talks on Korea’s strategic investment projects in the United States. Additional details are expected to be unveiled next month.

The two countries are currently negotiating their first investment project under Korea’s $350 billion investment pledge made last year as part of a trade deal with the United States.

Park is a veteran official well-versed in trade affairs, having served in major trade-related posts at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources, according to the Blue House.

He was selected as the most qualified person who “will maximize the national interest by maintaining continuity in the negotiations amid urgent trade issues, having headed working-level negotiations with the United States on tariffs and investment,” Kang said.

Lee also appointed Choi Yong-chul, who served as the vice chief of the National Fire Agency, to head the agency, according to the spokesperson.

Yonhap

Update, Aug. 23, 2026: Information about Park Jung-sung’s professional history and reason for appointment added.