Lee Won-joo has been appointed as the new chief of the Presidential Mega Project Office, bringing extensive experience in the industrial and energy sectors.
Born in 1971 in Daegu, Lee graduated from Seoul National University with a degree in economics and earned a master's degree in economics from the University of Colorado.
He entered public service through the 40th National Civil Service Examination and has held key positions, including the Director of Material, Parts, and Equipment Cooperation at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, and the Industrial Policy Secretary at the Presidential Office. He participated in responding to Japan's export restrictions on semiconductor materials and components in 2019. After returning to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy in 2021, he served as the Director of Power Innovation Policy, Director of Energy Policy, Planning and Coordination Office Director, spokesperson, and Director of Energy Policy.
Following the reorganization of government, he became the Director of Energy Transition Policy at the newly established Ministry of Climate, Energy, and Environment, overseeing policies for expanding renewable energy and enhancing the power grid. His background has led to assessments that he is well-suited to monitor the progress of large-scale national projects, such as mega projects, and coordinate the interests of related ministries.
During a briefing, Chief of Staff Kang Hoon-sik praised Lee, stating, "He is a seasoned bureaucrat with extensive experience in the energy and industrial sectors, having acted as a problem solver during national crises, such as the semiconductor material and component export restrictions in 2019. Based on his accumulated expertise and proven problem-solving capabilities, he is the right person to lead South Korea's mega projects to success."
◇ Profile
△ Born in 1971
△ Degree in Economics from Seoul National University
△ Master's in Economics from the University of Colorado
△ 40th National Civil Service Examination
△ Director of Material, Parts, and Equipment Cooperation at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy
△ Industrial Policy Secretary at the Presidential Office
△ Director of Power Innovation Policy at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy
△ Director of Energy Policy
△ Planning and Coordination Office Director
△ Spokesperson
△ Director of Energy Policy
△ Director of Energy Transition Policy at the Ministry of Climate, Energy, and Environment
* This article has been translated by AI.
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