Hong Yoon-sik, a former vice minister at the Office for Government Policy Coordination, has been named interior minister.

Hong, 59, is known as a veteran in state affairs, having served various key posts during his 30-year career in the prime minister’s office.

Born in Gangneung, Gangwon Province, the nominee received his bachelor’s degree in law from Seoul National University and master’s degree in policy from the University of Michigan in the U.S.

He passed the state civil service exam in 1985 and launched his public career as an administrative official in Gangwon Province.

Four years later, he was assigned to the prime minister’s office, where he built an expertise in foreign affairs and national security issues for 26 years until his retirement earlier this year.

(laeticia.ock@heraldcorp.com)