Lee formally appoints minister of finance, four others

SEOUL, June 2 (Yonhap) -- President Lee Myung-bak formally appointed Finance Minister Bahk Jae-wan and four other new ministers Thursday, asking them to be creative in policymaking and heed the voices of the people they serve.
"I hope members of the Cabinet will do their best in state affairs with a united attitude and a changeover in thinking in line with the trend of the new era," Lee told the new ministers during an appointment ceremony, according to presidential spokesman Hong Sang-pyo.
Besides Bahk, the four other ministers were Agriculture Minister Suh Kyu-yong, Environment Minister Yoo Young-sook, Labor Minister Lee Cha-pel and Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs Minister Kwon Do-youp. The new ministers were named early last month and have since undergone confirmation hearings.
Lee also instructed the new ministers to visit and meet with the people they serve as often as possible and try to reflect their voices in policies, according to the spokesman.
In addition, Lee asked the ministers to hold their heads high when explaining policies to lawmakers during parliamentary interpellation sessions, the spokesman said.
Earlier in the day, Lee presided over a weekly meeting of economic policies and called for greater support for the biohealth industry, saying the area is important not only in terms of promoting public health, but also in creating jobs and boosting exports.
jschang@yna.co.kr