During his final press briefing, Lee's outgoing top aide Kang Hoon-sik, who offered to resign last month following a series of failed Cabinet nominations, announced Lim's appointment.
Kang said Lim, a former lawmaker and economic bureaucrat with extensive administrative experience, had helped improve tax fairness, expressing confidence that he would help implement Lee's policy goals, including reducing inequality and improving people's livelihoods.
"I have felt a strong sense of duty to serve as a public servant since 1995, but I recognize that becoming the president's chief of staff carries an even greater responsibility," said Lim, who also appeared at the briefing.
Lim added that his priorities would be to build on the Lee administration's achievements and deliver tangible improvements in people's daily lives. He also pledged to devote himself to easing their livelihood concerns.
His appointment comes as Lee seeks to strengthen the presidential office following controversy over several failed Cabinet nominations, for which Kang offered to take responsibility by stepping down.
In his farewell remarks, Kang thanked government officials, journalists and the public for their support during his 499 days in the role. He said he remained committed to helping the Lee administration succeed, while admitting that there had been shortcomings along the way.
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