Presidential spokesperson Kang You-jung announced the decision in a notice to the media that day. The National Assembly adopted confirmation hearing reports for Lee and Kang on Sept. 17, while Hong's report was approved on Sept. 21.
Lee departed for New York the previous day to attend the United Nations General Assembly. His decision to approve the appointments while abroad reflects his determination to launch his second-term cabinet in earnest and minimize any gap in governance. In Lee Hyoung-il's case, the move appears driven by the need to quickly establish an economic control tower and ensure policy continuity amid persistent external uncertainties, including high global interest rates and supply chain realignment.
Kang is expected to focus on the South Korea-U.S. alliance and discussions over troop deployment to the Strait of Hormuz. Hong will handle a pile of pressing livelihood issues, including housing supply policy and balanced regional development.
Meanwhile, the National Assembly failed to process the confirmation hearing report for Lee So-young, nominee for minister of SMEs and startups, the previous day. The Trade, Industry, Energy, SMEs and Startups Committee had planned to discuss adopting the report after completing her hearing that day, but the full committee meeting was canceled after ruling and opposition party floor managers failed to find common ground on selecting witnesses for the parliamentary audit.
