Pres.-elect Lee Announces Lineup of Top Aides

President-elect Lee-Myung-bak announced yesterday the lineup of his senior secretaries, naming Rep. Bahk Jae-wan of the conservative Grand National Party as senior secretary for political affairs and Hallym President Kim Choong-soo as senior secretary for economic policy.

Lee made the announcements at a news conference at the presidential transition committee’s office in Seoul.

Kim Byung-kook will handle foreign and security affairs for the president; Sookmyung Women’s University professor Park Mee-seok social policy; lawmaker Lee Joo-ho education, science and cultural affairs; former senior prosecutor of the Seoul High Prosecutors’ Office Lee Jong-chan civil petitions; and Korea University professor Kwak Seung-jun national policy planning.

Transition committee spokesman Lee Dong-kwan will perform the same job at the presidential office in addition to serving as secretary for public information.

President-elect Lee said he considered three factors in picking the lineup, saying, “I chose those capable of working with me, possessing a clear view of the nation, and who are younger and more active than Cabinet members.”

swpark@donga.com