Ministry of Employment and Labor

Education

• 1986

  Masan Central High School, Graduated

• 1992

  B.S. in Animal Science, Dong-A University

• 2015

  M.A. in Political Science, Graduate School of NGO Studies, Sungkonghoe University

Professional Career

• Jul 2025 ~ present

  11th Minister of Employment and Labor

• Jan 2021 ~ Jul 2025

  Public Interest Member, Busan Regional Labor Relations Commission

• Jun 1992 ~ Jun 2025

  Train Driver, Korea Railroad Corporation

• Jul 2017 ~ May 2020

  Head of the Labor Division, Justice Party

• Oct 2014 ~ Feb 2017

  26th President of the Korean Railway Workers’ Union

• Jan 2010 ~ Nov 2012

  9th President of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (during the 6th leadership term)

• Jun 2008 ~ Apr 2012

  Workers’ Member, National Labor Relations Commission

• Mar 2004 ~ Feb 2007

  20th President of the Korean Railway Workers' Union

• Jun 2001 ~ Dec 2003

  Director of the Education Bureau, Korean Railway Workers’ Union

Education

• 1988

  Yeongjin High School, Daegu, Korea

• 1994

  BA in Public Policy and Management, Yonsei University, Korea

• 2011

  MA in Human Resources and Labor Relations, Michigan State University, USA

• 2020

  Ph.D. in Law (Social Law), Dankook University, Korea

Professional Career

• Jun 27, 2025 ~ Present

  Vice Minister of Employment and Labor (12th)

• Feb 2025 ~ Jun 2025

  Assistant Minister, Planning and Coordination Office, MOEL

• May 2023 ~ Feb 2025

  Director General, Labor Policy Reform Bureau, MOEL

• Aug 2022 ~ Apr 2023

  Director General, Labor-Management Cooperation Bureau, MOEL

• Jan 2021 ~ Aug 2022

  Director General, Youth Employment Policy Bureau, MOEL

• Feb 2020 ~ Jan 2021

  Standing Commissioner, Gyeonggi Regional Labor Relations Commission (Senior Public Official in the General Service)

• Mar 2019 ~ Feb 2020

  Director-General, Secretariat, Seoul Regional Labor Relations Commission

• Jun 2017 ~ Mar 2019

  Administrative Officer, Presidential Secretariat for Employment and Labor, Office of the President of the Republic of Korea

• Jun 2016 ~ Jun 2017

  Director, Labor Standards Policy Division, Director (Deputy Director-General), Labor-Management Cooperation Policy Division , MOEL

• Feb 2012 ~ Jun 2016

  Director, Labor Standards Policy Division, MOEL, Director, Bucheon Regional Employment and Labor Office, MOEL, Secretary to the Minister, MOEL, Director, Vocational Skills Policy Division, MOEL

• Aug 2006 ~ Feb 2012

  Labor-Management Cooperation Policy Division, MOEL, Overseas training (USA), Director, Seongnam Employment Welfare Plus Center, Seongnam Regional Employment and Labor Office, MOEL, Director, Equal Employment Division, Gyeongin Regional Employment and Labor Office, MOEL, Labor-Cooperation Policy Division, Labor-Management Policy Team, and Labor Relations Legal Affairs Team (Grade-4 Director), MOEL

• Apr 1997 ~ Aug 2006

  Labor Relations Legal Affairs Team, Labor Standards Division, Training Policy Division, Siheung Employment Security Center (Director), Industrial Accident Compensation Insurance Division, MOEL, Probationary Administrative Officer, Ministry of Government Administration (passed the 40th Administrative Examination (Grade 5))