Kang Deuk-gu named new head of Democratic Party think tank

Predecessor Lee Jae-young resigns; Kim Min-seok taps Kang for the role

Kang had led innovation TF at the institute before his appointment

Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker Kang Deuk-gu holds a press conference at the National Assembly's media room on Friday, claiming that former party leader Jung Chung-rae lied about the expulsion of former North Jeolla Province Governor Kim Kwan-young and the push to merge with the Rebuilding Korea Party. [Newsis]

Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker Kang Deuk-gu was named Monday as the new head of the party's think tank, the Democratic Research Institute.

Party leader Kim Min-seok nominated Kang, a former supreme council member, to lead the institute under Article 57 of the party constitution, the Democratic Party announced Monday.

Under the party constitution, the party leader serves as chair of the institute's board of directors, while the institute head is nominated by the party leader and must receive board approval. The institute head serves a two-year term.

Kang had been heading an innovation task force at the Democratic Research Institute — established by Kim to reorganize the institute's operations — before being tapped for the top post.

The innovation TF has been working to reduce overlap between the institute and the party's policy committee, with a focus on strengthening the institute's political strategy functions.

Meanwhile, Lee Jae-young, who had been appointed institute head under former party leader Jung, submitted his resignation on Aug. 31 — just two weeks after Kim took over as party leader.

thanks@heraldcorp.com