Lee Hye-hoon Minister of Planning and Budget Nomination: Pragmatism Wins
President Lee Jae-myung nominated conservative veteran Lee Hye-hoon as the first Minister of Planning and Budget on Dec 28, 2025. This move signals a pragmatic shift in South Korea's economic policy.
Shaking hands while keeping fists clenched is the usual political game, but today's move signals a rare truce. On December 28, 2025, President Lee Jae-myung nominated Lee Hye-hoon, a veteran conservative economist and former lawmaker, as the first head of the newly created Ministry of Planning and Budget. According to the presidential office, this nomination is a centerpiece of a major government reshuffle set for January 2026, aiming to bridge the partisan divide through economic expertise.
The Lee Hye-hoon Planning and Budget Minister Nomination Context
Under the new structure, the Ministry of Planning and Budget will operate under the Prime Minister's office, focusing on national budget allocation and long-term economic strategies. While the Finance Ministry remains the policy control tower, the new ministry will handle the nuts and bolts of fiscal growth. The nominee is a three-term former lawmaker and former researcher at the Korea Development Institute (KDI). Known as a 'rational conservative,' she's previously led legislative reforms such as the Interest Limitation Act.
Beyond the Budget: Expanding the Economic Team
President Lee also filled several key advisory and ministerial roles to solidify his economic agenda. Kim Song-sik, a policy reformer and two-term former lawmaker, was appointed vice chair of the National Economic Advisory Council. Additionally, Lee Kyung-soo, head of fusion startup Enable Fusion, will lead the Science and Technology Advisory Council.
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