South Korea names new advisers before G7 summit

Seoul

Ahead of his first foreign visit to attend the G7 summit in Canada, South Korean President Lee Jae-myung has appointed new deputy national security advisers, his office announced Sunday.

Kim Hyun-jong, a retired three-star general and former Ground Operations Command chief, was named the first deputy national security adviser. He previously worked on military reform under former President Moon Jae-in and is expected to bolster national defense efforts.

Lim Woong-soon, currently South Korea’s ambassador to Canada, was appointed second deputy adviser to handle foreign affairs policy. Lim has also been organizing preparations for the G7 summit.

The third deputy adviser post will focus on economic security and has been given to Oh Hyun-joo, South Korea’s first female envoy to the Holy See, Yonhap reported.

President Lee emphasized that the G7 summit would signal a “restoration of South Korea’s summit diplomacy,” particularly with a focus on economic and security partnerships.

Lee will visit Alberta from Monday to Wednesday for the expanded G7 session and is scheduled to meet leaders of several key global economies during the trip.

In addition to the national security team reshuffle, Lee created a new role—presidential secretary for artificial intelligence policy. Ha Jung-woo, who currently leads the Future AI Center at tech company Naver, has been selected for this position.

The appointments reflect Lee’s priorities: strengthening national defense, enhancing diplomatic presence, and expanding South Korea’s AI and economic strategies on the world stage.