Who is Park Jung-sung and why was he appointed trade minister?

Park Jung-sung is a senior trade official and former vice trade minister. He was appointed to replace Yeo Han-koo and to lead talks with Washington on South Korea’s investment pledge to the United States.

What is South Korea negotiating with the United States under the $350 billion investment pledge?

South Korea and the United States are negotiating their first investment project under the pledge. Seoul officials said the talks on strategic investment projects are making meaningful progress, and additional details are expected next month.

Does Park Jung-sung need parliamentary approval to become trade minister?

No. The appointment does not require parliamentary approval or a confirmation hearing, according to the presidential spokesperson.

Lee appoints senior trade official Park Jung-sung as new trade minister

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Summary

President Lee Jae Myung appointed senior trade official Park Jung-sung as South Korea’s new trade minister on Friday, giving him immediate responsibility for talks with Washington over the country’s U.S. investment pledge. Park will replace Yeo Han-koo, who was dismissed last week for unknown reasons. The appointment does not require parliamentary approval or a confirmation hearing. Seoul officials said talks on strategic investment projects with the U.S. are making meaningful progress, with more details expected next month.

Key Facts

Park Jung-sung was formerly vice trade minister and is described as a veteran official with experience in major trade-related posts at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources.
The two countries are negotiating their first investment project under South Korea’s $350 billion investment pledge to the United States made last year as part of a trade deal.
Cheong Wa Dae said Park was chosen to maximize the national interest by maintaining continuity in negotiations amid urgent trade issues and by continuing working-level talks with the U.S. on tariffs and investment.

By Yonhap

Published Aug 21, 2026 4:37 pm KST

Park Jung-sung, newly appointed trade minister / Yonhap

President Lee Jae Myung has appointed senior trade official Park Jung-sung as the new trade minister, a presidential spokesperson said Friday, filling the post immediately tasked with leading the talks with Washington over South Korea's investment pledge to the United States.

Park, formerly vice trade minister, will replace Yeo Han-koo, according to presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung. Yeo was dismissed last week for unknown reasons.

Park's appointment does not require parliamentary approval or a confirmation hearing.

The appointment comes amid what Seoul officials have called meaningful progress in Seoul-Washington talks on South Korea's strategic investment projects in the U.S., with additional details expected to be unveiled next month.

The two countries are currently negotiating their first investment project under South Korea's $350 billion investment pledge made last year as part of a trade deal with the U.S.

Park is a veteran official well versed in trade affairs, having served in major trade-related posts at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources, according to Cheong Wa Dae.

He was selected as the most qualified person who "will maximize the national interest by maintaining continuity in the negotiations amid urgent trade issues, having headed working-level negotiations with the U.S. on tariffs and investment," Kang said.

Lee has also appointed Choi Yong-chul, vice chief of the National Fire Agency, to head the agency, according to the spokesperson.

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