Seoul: President Lee Jae-myung has appointed new deputy national security advisers, the presidential office announced Sunday, in preparation for his inaugural overseas trip to the Group of Seven (G7) summit in Canada this week.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Kim Hyun-jong, a retired three-star general who previously served as chief of staff of the Ground Operations Command, has been named the first deputy national security adviser. This appointment was confirmed by Kang Hoon-sik, the presidential chief of staff, during a briefing with reporters. Kim's previous experience in former President Moon Jae-in's defense reform initiative positions him to enhance South Korea's military capabilities and lead ongoing military reform efforts.

Lim Woong-soon, South Korea's ambassador to Canada, has been appointed as the second deputy adviser, focusing on foreign affairs policy. Lim has been actively preparing for the upcoming G7 summit, which is a significant diplomatic engagement for South Korea.

Oh Hyun-joo, South Korea's first female envoy to the Holy See, has been named the third deputy adviser, with responsibilities centered on economic security affairs. This appointment is part of a broader strategy to bolster South Korea's economic security on the global stage.

Kang highlighted that President Lee views the forthcoming G7 summit as a pivotal moment for restoring South Korea's summit diplomacy and engaging in negotiations pertinent to economic security. During his visit to Alberta from Monday to Wednesday, Lee is expected to participate in an expanded G7 session and conduct a series of bilateral meetings with leaders from major economies.

Additionally, Lee has appointed Ha Jung-woo, the head of the Future AI Center at South Korea's tech firm Naver, as the presidential secretary for artificial intelligence policy. This newly established position underscores the administration's focus on advancing AI policy.