Kang Hoon-sik after leaving Cheong Wa Dae: “President Lee is a good person ... I was impressed throughout my time serving him”

[Financial News] Former presidential chief of staff Kang Hoon-sik shared his reflections as he left office on the 15th, saying, “I have not changed my view that taking responsibility is the right thing to do.”
Kang posted on X (formerly Twitter) that day: “I had been thinking about it for quite some time. There were many painful nights when it felt as though there was nothing that wasn’t my fault.”
Earlier, on the 21st of last month, Kang offered his resignation to President Lee, taking responsibility as chair of Cheong Wa Dae’s personnel committee amid a series of ministerial nominees falling through and declining approval ratings. He cited President Lee’s press conference on the 18th of last month as the decisive factor in his decision to resign. “The most painful day was the day of the President’s press conference. Every time the person I serve said, ‘I fell short’ or ‘I am sorry,’ it felt as though a dagger were flying at me,” he said. “As chief of staff, I brought things to the point where the President had to apologize. It was entirely my fault. After a sleepless weekend, I had no choice but to offer the President my resignation.”
He continued: “After a sleepless weekend, I had no choice but to offer the President my resignation. I followed all the public reaction that came afterward. I will have an opportunity to explain what was not accurate, and I could accept most of the criticism.” He added, “But it hurt a lot to hear people ask why I was leaving just when I should have been standing even more firmly by the President.”
Kang stressed, “The President is a good person. He is an exceptional administrator and a politician who never forgets that he is a representative, but above all, he is a good person.”
He added, “There were many moments when I was impressed throughout my time serving him. Wanting to do better and keep in step with him was the greatest force driving me over those 499 days. He let me learn, by watching over his shoulder, about a world of endless possibilities. I was grateful.”
Kang was appointed the first presidential chief of staff when the Lee Jae-myung administration was launched in June last year and went on to lead the office. On the 14th, President Lee appointed Lim Gwang-hyun, commissioner of the National Tax Service, as Kang’s successor. Kang wrapped up his 499-day tenure as chief of staff that day. That morning, President Lee presented Kang with a plaque of appreciation in recognition of his hard work.
Kang said, “Cheong Wa Dae will always remain firmly united, regardless of what happens to me personally. The new chief of staff and the most capable aides I have ever met will hold the fort, so you need not worry.” He added, “I was grateful, completely and without reservation.”
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