The Ministry of Economy and Finance announced on the 18th that it has appointed Park Geum-cheol as the new Director of the Tax Policy Division.

Deputy Minister Park graduated from the Department of Economics at Seoul National University and entered public service in 1993 as a member of the 37th Administrative Exam.

Deputy Minister Park has diverse work experience in taxes, budget, and policy. He has held key positions in the Tax Policy Division, including Director of Tax Analysis, Director of Tax Policy, and Director of the Tax General Policy Division.

He has also gained expertise in the budget and policy areas by serving as a budget review officer for social expenditures and a policy assistant to the Deputy Prime Minister.

A Ministry of Economy and Finance official said, "He is an expert who has comprehensive experience in taxes, budget, and policy" and noted, "He is a suitable person to tackle tax challenges."

Deputy Minister Park is said to take a proactive approach to work and demonstrate a gentle yet rational leadership style. He was selected as the "boss people want to emulate" in 2015.

Meanwhile, replacing a first-level official less than two months after the new government has launched is unusual. The Ministry of Economy and Finance explained that this personnel decision was made to oversee the tax law amendments announced in July shortly after the new government began.

A Ministry of Economy and Finance official noted, "Typically, the Director of the Tax Policy Division changes every year to year and a half, but this time, it took longer than usual," and stated, "We have proceeded with the personnel decision ahead of the July tax law amendment announcement."

▲Department of Economics, Seoul National University ▲Ph.D. in Economics, University of Missouri ▲Senior Economist at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) ▲37th Administrative Exam ▲Director of Tax Policy Division, Ministry of Economy and Finance ▲Director of Tax Analysis ▲Director of New Growth Policy ▲Assistant to the Deputy Prime Minister ▲Minister Counsellor at the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in China ▲Policy Assistant to the Deputy Prime Minister, Ministry of Economy and Finance ▲Director of Tax General Policy Division ▲Social Expenditure Budget Review Officer ▲Administrative Defense Budget Review Officer ▲Property Consumption Tax Policy Officer