Kim Byung-min, former deputy mayor for political affairs, takes helm of Seoul Tourism Foundation; Lee Chang-geun, former spokesperson, named standing auditor of Seoul Metro
Both close aides of Mayor Oh begin 3-year terms, with eyes on the 23rd general election
Two of Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon's closest aides — former Deputy Mayor for Political Affairs Kim Byung-min and former city spokesperson Lee Chang-geun — have been appointed to senior positions at Seoul Metropolitan Government-affiliated agencies.
Kim was named president of the Seoul Tourism Foundation, while Lee was appointed standing auditor of Seoul Metro.
Both men served in central roles in the city administration and enjoyed the mayor's deep trust. Although each appointment carries a three-year term, political circles are already discussing the possibility that the two could run again in the 23rd general election, scheduled for 2028.
Attention is now focused on whether the appointments will serve as a springboard — allowing both men to build expertise and administrative experience at city-affiliated agencies while laying the groundwork for future political careers.
Kim Byung-min appointed president of Seoul Tourism Foundation
Seoul Metropolitan Government appointed former Deputy Mayor for Political Affairs Kim Byung-min as the new president of the Seoul Tourism Foundation. Kim began his three-year term Monday.
Kim earned a doctorate in public administration from Kyung Hee University and went on to serve as a research fellow at Seoul National University's Engineering Research Institute and as an adjunct and visiting professor in the public administration department at Kyung Hee University before serving as Seoul's deputy mayor for political affairs from 2024 to 2026.
In that role, he oversaw communication and policy coordination among the city government, the Seoul Metropolitan Council and the broader political sphere. He also served as co-chair of the G3 Seoul Planning Committee, leading the development of the "G3 Seoul Plan" — a blueprint outlining the vision of making Seoul a global top-tier city with an exceptional quality of life, along with 100 priority initiatives.
The city said it expects Kim to leverage his administrative experience and policy coordination skills to strengthen Seoul's tourism industry and position the capital as a world-class destination.
"For Seoul to rise to the ranks of the world's top three cities, it is essential that it establish itself as a tourism destination beloved by people around the globe," Kim said. "We will strengthen city branding to showcase Seoul's unique appeal and content to the world." He added that he would work to closely link major city policies — including efforts to revitalize the nighttime economy — with tourism, and devote all his energy to making Seoul a globally recognized destination.
Kim is widely expected to run in the Gwangjin-gap constituency in Seoul.
Lee Chang-geun appointed standing auditor of Seoul Metro
Seoul Metro appointed former city spokesperson Lee Chang-geun as its new standing auditor, effective Aug. 31. His term runs through Aug. 30, 2029.
Standing auditors at Seoul Metropolitan Government-affiliated investment and grant institutions are appointed by the mayor from among multiple candidates recommended by an executive search committee following document screening and interviews.
Lee holds a doctorate in economics from Seoul National University's graduate school and previously served as an administrative official in the presidential secretariat and as an associate research professor at Seoul National University's Research Institute of Advanced Materials. He was appointed city spokesperson in 2021, serving as the public face of Mayor Oh's governing philosophy and key policies to the media and citizens.
Lee said he would emphasize a "prevention-focused audit" approach — identifying risk factors in advance rather than catching problems after the fact.
"Rather than simply pointing out mistakes after problems arise, I will focus on identifying risk factors early and improving irrational systems and practices," he said. He added that he would work to foster an organizational culture that encourages proactive work while strengthening internal controls against corruption and misconduct, so that Seoul Metro becomes an institution citizens can trust even more.
Lee is seen as a strong potential candidate in the Hanam constituency in Gyeonggi Province.
The two men share a background that combines administrative and political experience. Given their close involvement in running the city alongside Mayor Oh, some observers say the appointments carry significance beyond a simple change of position.
However, since both terms run three years, either man would need to resign mid-term to run in the 2028 general election. Whether they will focus on their new institutional roles or return to politics ahead of the election remains to be seen.
seouldream01@heraldcorp.com
