President Yoon Suk Yeol on Thursday appointed the assistant prosecutor general as the new vice justice minister, his office said.

Sim Woo-jung, a prosecutor who has previously worked in various departments of the justice ministry, was appointed to replace Lee Noh-kong as vice minister, the presidential office said.

Lee reportedly tendered her resignation after struggling under a heavy workload. She was considered a strong candidate to replace Justice Minister Han Dong-hoon following his resignation to become interim leader of the ruling People Power Party, but reportedly declined the offer.

Source: Yonhap News Agency