SEOUL - Oh Young-ju, a veteran diplomat with extensive experience in economic diplomacy, has been nominated as the new minister for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and startups. She is set to replace Lee Young, who has been leading the ministry since May 2022.
According to Yonhap News Agency, born in 1964, Oh Young-ju has had a distinguished career in public service, beginning as a career diplomat after graduating from Ewha Womans University and passing the national foreign service exam. Her expertise in foreign policies related to the economy is considered crucial for the overseas expansion and globalization of SMEs and startups. Oh's diplomatic experience includes serving as the ambassador and deputy permanent representative of South Korea to the United Nations from 2015 to 2017, and as the ambassador to Vietnam until earlier this year. She has been serving as the second vice foreign minister since July, focusing on economic diplomacy under the Yoon Suk Yeol government.