President Yoon Suk Yeol's Chief of Staff Chung Jin-suk announced on Thursday the nomination of Yoo Sang-im as the new science minister and Tae Yong-ho as the secretary-general of the presidential Peaceful Unification Advisory Council's Secretariat, a vice-ministerial post. Yoo, a materials science and engineering professor at Seoul National University, is seen as well-suited for the role due to his experience in engaging with the government, industry representatives, and researchers. He highlighted his intention to prioritize funding for state-sponsored research and development projects, particularly in the areas of artificial intelligence, quantum technology, and biotechnology, in alignment with the Yoon administration's objectives. Yoo, who holds a doctoral degree from Iowa State University, will need to undergo a parliamentary hearing before his final approval. In addition to Yoo and Tae's nominations, three more vice-ministerial positions were announced. Tae, a former North Korean diplomat turned South Korean lawmaker, is the first North Korean defector to hold a vice-ministerial post in South Korea's history. His role will involve administrative duties for the presidential Peaceful Unification Advisory Council, which advises on South Korea's unification policies and promotes efforts towards reunification. The other nominees include Kim Sung-sup as the new vice minister for SMEs and startups, and Nam Hyung-ki as the new second deputy chief of the Government Policy Coordination Office. Most of these vice-ministerial nominees do not require parliamentary hearings for their appointments.