Cheong Wa Dae policy chief to be filled through internal promotion... Will Kang Hoon-sik be replaced or retained?

[Financial News] President Lee Jae Myung has promoted Joon-Kyung Ha, senior secretary for economic growth, to the policy chief post, which had been vacant for a month. Attention has now shifted to the fate of presidential chief of staff Kang Hoon-sik. The decision to promote someone from within, rather than recruit an outsider, emphasized policy continuity and organizational stability. However, no decision has been made for two weeks regarding Kang, who announced his resignation on September 21.
According to political sources on the 4th, discussions are continuing over suitable candidates to succeed Kang, while the possibility of retaining him is also being raised. Lee Jae Myung is expected to make a final decision after weighing the candidates' political acumen, command of the organization, and dynamics within the ruling party camp.
Initially, many observers predicted that the vacant policy chief and chief of staff posts would be settled together after Lee Jae Myung's trip to the United States and Mexico. However, on October 1, Lee made only appointments to the economic and policy teams, including Joon-Kyung Ha as policy chief and Mun Sin-hak as senior secretary for economic growth. At Chunchugwan on October 1, senior secretary for public relations and communications Seong Ghi-hong said, when asked whether a successor would be appointed or Kang retained, "I understand that the appointing authority is considering the chief of staff issue."
Kang offered his resignation on September 21, taking responsibility for a series of nominees falling from consideration during the appointments for the second Cabinet. However, Lee did not accept his resignation, so Kang has continued to perform his duties as chief of staff.
Within the ruling party, sitting Democratic Party of Korea lawmakers close to Lee—including Kim Young-jin, Park Seong-jun, Lee Hae-sik, Cheon Jun-ho, and Han Jun-ho—are being mentioned as possible candidates for the next chief of staff. The fact that they represent constituencies in Seoul, Gyeonggi, and other parts of the metropolitan area is a concern, since their move to Cheong Wa Dae would require by-elections next April. Given recent approval-rating trends and voter sentiment regarding real estate in the metropolitan area, the Democratic Party of Korea cannot be confident of winning those by-elections and therefore has little choice but to exercise caution in selecting a sitting lawmaker. Figures from outside the National Assembly are also being considered as alternatives.
By contrast, speculation has also emerged that Kang could remain in office. Kang has not only worked closely with the president but has also handled political affairs linking the party, government, and presidential office.
Rather than being confined to internal coordination at Cheong Wa Dae, he has been directly deployed to major external issues, including crude oil supplies and defense-industry cooperation, serving as a "troubleshooter." As the Presidential Special Envoy for Strategic Economic Cooperation, he visited oil-producing countries when concerns over energy supplies grew amid instability in the Middle East and achieved tangible results, including securing crude oil. He was also involved in overseas defense negotiations, addressing a broad range of economic, diplomatic, and security issues. However, maintaining the current structure without a personnel overhaul could bring renewed calls for accountability over personnel decisions.
Since the policy team has already been reorganized through the appointments of a policy chief and a senior secretary for economic growth, some observers believe Lee may carefully review Kang's future and the appointment of his successor while maintaining stability in the administration, rather than rushing to replace the chief of staff. The decision could be delayed further, particularly in light of the parliamentary audit schedule and the handover of duties.
Meanwhile, Lee Jae Myung wrote on X, formerly Twitter, "Reform is carried out for the people and the country, not for someone's political achievements and applause." He added, "Reform should be the goal, not a means of demonstrating clarity, attracting attention, or attacking someone."
Lee Jae Myung did not mention a specific issue. However, the remarks drew attention because they came as some members of the ruling party camp and hard-line supporters continued to object after Cheong Wa Dae submitted a request for a confirmation hearing to the National Assembly on October 1 for Kim Ji-yong, the nominee to head the Serious Crime Investigation Agency.
[email protected] Choi Jong-geun Reporter