South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol reshuffled key security positions on Monday. Yoon tapped Kim Yong-hyun, the current head of the presidential security service, as the nominee for defense minister. Shin Won-sik, the incumbent defense minister, shifts to national security adviser.

Yoon created a new special advisor for diplomatic security, appointing current national security adviser Chang Ho-jin to the position. The presidential office stated that this new role aims to focus on strategic tasks related to core national interests. These changes mark a significant reorganization of Yoon’s national security team.

WHY IT MATTERS

Yoon’s appointment of Kim Yong-hyun as defense minister