President Park Geun-hye on Tuesday conducted a partial reshuffle of high-level posts, including three ministers, in a move to inject fresh momentum into her administration for the remaining 18 months of her term.

Park tapped Cho Yoon-sun, former minister of gender equality, to lead the ministry of culture, sports and tourism, while designating Kim Jae-soo, CEO of the Korea Agro-Fisheries and Food Trade Corp., as minister of agriculture, food and rural affairs.

The chief executive also nominated Cho Kyeung-kyu, deputy chief of the Office for Government Policy Coordination under the Prime Minister's Office, as environment minister.

"Culture Minister nominee Cho has a deep grasp of the culture and arts, and well understands the president's philosophy in running the country," senior presidential secretary for public affairs Kim Sung-woo told reporters. "Based on her ample experience both in government and parliamentary affairs, we believe she will contribute to the advancement of tourism, culture and related areas."

Cho, who also served as senior presidential secretary for political affairs between 2014 and 2015, is one of the president's most trusted aides.


The presidential press chief also underscored that both nominees for agriculture and environment ministers are well versed in policy matters and have extensive experience in respective areas, and that they would play a crucial role in the country's endeavors to find future growth engines.

The president, in addition, appointed four vice-ministerial officials.

Park picked Noh Hyeong-ouk, a senior official at the ministry of strategy and finance, to replace Cho Kyeung-kyu.

The president also appointed Jeong Marn-ki, her secretary for industry and trade affairs, as vice minister of trade, industry and energy.

Park Kyeong-ho, a lawyer and former senior prosecutor, was appointed as vice chief of the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission, while Chung Hwang-keun, the presidential secretary for agricultural and fishery affairs, was picked to head the Rural Development Administration. (Yonhap)