청 "Kim Hyun-jong's Resignation? Not True" Denies, but... Why the Fire Doesn't Go Out

National Security Office 2nd Deputy Director's Resignation Speculated for General Election Candidacy, Blue House Denies 'Baseless'... Blue House Reorganization Schedule Fluid, Controversy Over Coordination Persists

[Asia Economy Reporters Ryu Jeong-min and Son Seon-hee] Although the Blue House denied reports on the 3rd that Kim Hyun-jong, the 2nd Deputy Director of the National Security Office at the Blue House, had expressed his intention to resign in order to run in the general election, the controversy has not died down. This is because there are signs of unusual internal dynamics, such as the possibility that the Blue House organizational reshuffle may be delayed beyond the initially announced schedule.

A key Blue House official stated, "(The report that Deputy Director Kim expressed his intention to resign to run in the general election) is not true." However, there are still many views that it is too early to make a definitive conclusion about Kim’s position. Recently, Kim has drawn attention as a central figure in internal conflicts within the Blue House surrounding diplomatic and security issues, including North Korea policy.

Choi Jong-geon, the Peace Planning Secretary of the National Security Office at the Blue House and a party to the conflict rumors with Deputy Director Kim, posted a cryptic message on Facebook on the 1st, saying, "Hiding me, that is the fate of an aide."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Since the inauguration of the Moon Jae-in administration, Deputy Director Kim has been recognized as a key figure in the diplomatic and security sectors. Although he is distant from the core pro-Moon faction, he has expanded his influence based on his expertise. However, he has also been the subject of rumors about discord with Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha. There are also observations that his position has narrowed amid the intensifying controversy over the Korea-Japan General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA).

If Kim, who values the South Korea-U.S. alliance, actually steps down, it could ignite another controversy intertwined with changes in the dynamics of the diplomatic and security line. While Kim may knock on the door of Yeouido to realize his political ambitions, it inevitably invites various interpretations. Previously, Kim was also mentioned as a possible candidate for Incheon Gyeyang in the 20th general election in 2016 but did not succeed.

If Kim prepares to enter Yeouido this time, he must leave the Blue House. According to Article 53 of the Public Official Election Act, public officials must resign by the 16th, 90 days before the 21st general election, to run in a local constituency election. As the resignation deadline approaches, there were expectations that the Blue House organizational reshuffle might take place as early as the 6th, but there is also a possibility that the schedule will be somewhat delayed.

If Kim settles on running in the general election, the scale of the Blue House organizational reshuffle could be larger than expected. Additionally, the declarations on the 3rd by Yoo Eun-hye, Deputy Prime Minister for Social Affairs and Minister of Education, and Kim Hyun-mi, Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, that they will not run in the general election have also emerged as variables. There are ongoing speculations that Blue House officials might run in the constituencies vacated by these female ministers. This is why there are views that the Blue House organizational reshuffle is unlikely to take place on the 6th.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.