 He then entered public administration as Assistant Education Officer for Selection and Guidance at the Ministry of Education.He went on to serve as Chief Administrative Officer for Regulation at the Ministry of Public Service, Assistant Secretary for Personnel to the Prime Minister's Office, Under-Secretary at the Public Service Division, Deputy Secretary to the Prime Minister and Cabinet, then Permanent Secretary to a number of Ministries, before becoming Secretary to the Prime Minister and Cabinet.He began his political career when he was elected to Parliament as the member for Baegu/Asifola in the April 2006 general election.