Alma Mater: | Sungkyunkwan University Seoul National University |
Office: | Minister of Unification |
President: | Moon Jae-in |
Primeminister: | Lee Nak-yeon |
Predecessor: | Hong Yong-pyo |
Successor: | Kim Yeon-chul |
Termstart: | 3 July 2017 |
Termend: | 8 April 2019 |
Party: | independent |
Birth Date: | 17 November 1957 |
Birth Place: | Uijeongbu, South Korea |
Blank1: | Religion |
Data1: | Roman Catholicism |
Cho Myoung-gyon (; born 17 November 1957) is a South Korean politician previously served as President Moon Jae-in's first Minister of Unification.
After passing the state exam in 1979, Cho spent most of his career at the Ministry of Unification.[1] He actively participated in multiple projects and negotiations with Pyongyang which resulted in enhanced Inter-Korean relations during Kim Dae-jung and Roh Moo-hyun administrations commended by then-Minister Jeong Se-hyun.[2] He left public service upon the beginning of the new administration in 2008. Since then he completely distanced himself from politics before being appointed as Minister in 2017.[3]
During his term as Minister, Inter-Korean relations dramatically improved which was deteriorated after Kim and Roh administrations.
He holds two degrees - a bachelor's in statistics from Sungkyunkwan University and a master's in administration from Seoul National University.[4]