Cheong Wa Dae Policy Chief Filled Through Internal Promotion... Kang Hoon-sik: Successor Appointment or Retention?

[Financial News] President Lee Jae Myung promoted Joon-Kyung Ha, Senior Presidential Secretary for Economic Growth, to the Chief Secretary for Policy post, which had been vacant for a month. Attention is now turning to the future of Kang Hoon-sik, Chief of Staff to the President, as Cheong Wa Dae undergoes a reshuffle. The internal promotion, rather than the appointment of an outside figure, emphasized policy continuity and organizational stability. However, no decision has been made for a second week regarding Kang, who announced his resignation on Sept. 21.
According to political circles on the 4th, discussions are continuing over suitable candidates to replace Kang, while the possibility of retaining him is also being raised. Lee is expected to make a final decision after weighing political acumen, the ability to command the organization and power dynamics within the ruling camp.
Initially, many observers predicted that the vacant Chief Secretary for Policy and Chief of Staff posts would be dealt with together after Lee's trip to the United States and Mexico. However, on the 1st, Lee made appointments only to the economic and policy teams, naming Joon-Kyung Ha as Chief Secretary for Policy and Mun Sin-hak as Senior Presidential Secretary for Economic Growth. Seong Gi-hong, Senior Secretary for Public Affairs and Communications, said at Chunchugwan on the 1st in response to a question about appointing a successor or retaining Kang, "I understand that the official with appointment authority is considering the issue of the Chief of Staff."
Kang offered to resign on Sept. 21, taking responsibility for a series of nominees withdrawing during the appointment process for the second Cabinet. However, Lee has not accepted his resignation, so Kang continues to perform his duties as Chief of Staff.
Current 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 potential candidates for the next Chief of Staff. However, because they represent constituencies in the Seoul and Gyeonggi areas, moving to Cheong Wa Dae would require by-elections next April. Given recent approval-rating trends and public sentiment regarding real estate in the Seoul metropolitan area, the Democratic Party of Korea cannot take victory in a by-election for granted and therefore has little choice but to be cautious about selecting a sitting lawmaker. Figures from outside the National Assembly are also being discussed as alternatives. Kim Min-ki, a former secretary-general of the National Assembly, is among those being mentioned.
Conversely, speculation has also emerged that Kang could remain in office. Kang has served not only as a close partner to the President but also in a political affairs role connecting the ruling party, the government and the presidential office.
In particular, he has played a "troubleshooter" role, taking direct charge not only of internal coordination at Cheong Wa Dae but also of major external issues such as crude oil supplies and defense-industry cooperation. As the Middle East instability raised concerns about energy supplies, he visited oil-producing countries personally as Presidential Special Envoy for Strategic Economic Cooperation and achieved tangible results, including securing crude oil. He was also dispatched to overseas defense-industry negotiations, handling economic, diplomatic and security issues across the board. However, maintaining the current structure without a personnel overhaul could revive calls for him to take responsibility for the appointments.
With the policy team already reorganized through the appointments of the Chief Secretary for Policy and the Senior Presidential Secretary for Economic Growth, some observers believe the administration may carefully review Kang's future and the appointment of his successor while maintaining stability in the running of state affairs, rather than rushing to replace the Chief of Staff. The timing could be delayed further, particularly in light of the parliamentary audit schedule and the transfer of duties.
Amid this, Lee wrote on X, formerly Twitter, "Reform is undertaken for the people and the nation, not for someone's political achievements or applause," adding, "Reform must be the goal; it must not be a means of demonstrating clarity, attracting attention or attacking someone."
Lee did not mention any specific issue. However, the remarks are drawing attention because they came as opposition from some within the ruling camp and from staunch supporters continued after Cheong Wa Dae submitted a request for a confirmation hearing on Kim Ji-yong, nominee to head the Serious Crime Investigation Agency, to the National Assembly on the 1st.
[email protected] Choi Jong-geun Reporter