Chief of Staff Kang Hoon-sik offers his resignation... Cheong Wa Dae reshuffle expected to expand following the Policy Chief's resignation

[Financial News] Chief of Staff Kang Hoon-sik tendered his resignation to President Lee Jae Myung on the 21st. Amid growing criticism regarding accountability for personnel vetting following the consecutive withdrawal of two ministerial nominees in the second cabinet reshuffle, Chief Kang, who chairs the Personnel Committee, is understood to have made this decision to take responsibility for overall state affairs. With Chief Kang expressing his intention to step down following former Policy Chief Kim Yong-bum, predictions are emerging that the scope of the Cheong Wa Dae staff reshuffle could expand.
Seong Ki-hong, Senior Secretary for Public Relations and Communication at Cheong Wa Dae, stated at a briefing at the Chunchugwan on this day, "Chief of Staff Kang Hoon-sik expressed his intention to resign to President Lee Jae Myung this morning."
It is reported that, at this stage, Chief of Staff Kang has expressed his intention to resign, and it has not yet been decided whether President Lee will accept it.
It appears that recent successive personnel controversies influenced Chief of Staff Kang's offer to resign. Kang serves as the chair of the Presidential Personnel Committee, overseeing the selection of key public officials, including ministerial-level positions.
In particular, criticism surrounding Cheong Wa Dae's personnel vetting system intensified as Yong Hye-in, the former nominee for Minister of Gender Equality and Family, and Kim Seung-won, the former nominee for Minister of Justice, voluntarily resigned in succession during the second cabinet reshuffle. Voices within the ruling party have also raised the issue of Chief of Staff Kang's responsibility as chair of the Personnel Committee regarding the nominee vetting process.
Cheong Wa Dae explained that the decision was made in the context of responsibility for overall state affairs, rather than being limited to a specific personnel issue.
A Cheong Wa Dae official explained the background to Chief of Staff Kang's resignation, stating, "Given that the President repeatedly said at a press conference last week that the public's view of state affairs was due to his own shortcomings, he expressed his intention to resign in order to take comprehensive responsibility as the Chief of Staff assisting the President."
If Chief of Staff Kang's future is confirmed, the reshuffle of key Cheong Wa Dae aides is likely to gain momentum. With the Policy Chief already having stepped down and Chief of Staff Kang also tendering his resignation, two of the three chief positions established at the start of the Lee Jae Myung administration are now set to be replaced.
Speculation is emerging in political circles that a major reshuffle of the Cheong Wa Dae staff will continue. Accordingly, some predict that all three chiefs will be replaced. However, there is also a view that policy continuity will be taken into consideration given the many pending issues, such as investment in the United States. Furthermore, names are already being floated for the Chief of Staff and Policy Chief, including conservative figures as well as members of the ruling party.
As the UN General Assembly and a visit to Mexico are scheduled through the 27th, the specific timing and scope of the staff reshuffle are expected to take shape after President Lee's trip.

[email protected] Choi Jong-geun, Seong Seok-woo Reporter