SEOUL - President Yoon Suk Yeol is set to reshuffle his Cabinet towards the end of this year or early next year. This move is aimed at replacing members who will be contesting in the upcoming parliamentary elections and to inject fresh momentum into his administration's third year. The process of selecting new Cabinet members is expected to start next month after the National Assembly concludes its review of the 2024 government budget proposal.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Cabinet members who have been serving since the inception of the Yoon administration in May 2022 are likely to be among the first to depart. This includes Finance Minister Choo Kyung-ho, Land Minister Won Hee-ryong, and Veterans Minister Park Min-shik, who are considering running for the National Assembly in April's general elections. Choi Sang-mok, the senior presidential secretary for economic affairs, is seen as a strong contender to succeed Choo, while Kim So-young, vice chairman of the Financial Services Commission, is a top candidate for Choi's role. Justice Minister Han Dong-hoon, known for his high public profile but limited political experience, is also under scrutiny for either a different governmental role or a political candidacy. Speculation persists about the future of Yoon's foreign policy team, with possibilities of retaining Foreign Minister Park Jin and National Security Adviser Cho Tae-yong. Additionally, Yoon's chief of staff Kim Dae-ki is unlikely to be replaced, as confirmed by a senior presidential official.