청 Today Organizational Restructuring... President Moon's Close Aide, Yoon Gun-young, Heads to General Election (Comprehensive)

Joo Hyung-chul, Blue House Economic Secretary, Also Challenges General Election... Nearly 10 Secretary-Level Personnel Replaced or Assigned to Newly Established Organizations

[Asia Economy Reporter Ryu Jeong-min] President Moon Jae-in will carry out a reorganization of the Blue House on the 6th, including replacing four individuals expected to run in the April 15 general election, such as Yoon Gun-young, Director of the National Planning Situation Office, and Joo Hyung-chul, Economic Secretary.

A key Blue House official said in a phone call with Asia Economy on the same day, "There will be a Blue House reorganization today." It is known that through this reorganization, nearly ten senior secretaries or higher-level personnel will be replaced or assigned to newly established organizations.

Yoon, known as President Moon’s close confidant, is likely to run in Seoul Guro-eul, the constituency of Park Young-sun, Minister of SMEs and Startups. Secretary Joo has settled on running in Daejeon Dong-gu, the constituency of Lee Jang-woo, a member of the Liberty Korea Party.

Cheongwadae viewed from the Government Seoul Office Building. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

Go Min-jung, Blue House spokesperson, said there is a possibility of running in Goyang-si 'Jeong' (Ilsanseo-gu), Gyeonggi Province, the constituency of Kim Hyun-mi, Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, but the final decision on her position has not been made. The Blue House has virtually completed the verification process related to personnel changes and has been reviewing the timing of the announcement. Kim Hyun-jong, Deputy Director of the National Security Office, who had attracted attention, is reportedly not leaving the Blue House.

Additionally, the Blue House will implement an organizational restructuring. It is reported that the National Situation Office is considering separating into the Situation Office and National Planning. Oh Jong-sik, Speech Planning Secretary, has emerged as a strong candidate for the National Planning Director. Lee Jin-seok, Policy Coordination Secretary, is being mentioned as the candidate for Situation Director. Furthermore, the Blue House is preparing to establish new secretary positions in some areas such as digital affairs.

Contrary to expectations that the Blue House reorganization would be delayed, it is being carried out this afternoon as a strategic move to organize the internal structure ahead of President Moon’s New Year’s address and Cabinet meeting on the 7th. The New Year’s address is scheduled to be delivered via live TV broadcast starting at 9:30 a.m. for 25 minutes.

Earlier, on the 2nd, President Moon conveyed messages of "coexistence leap" and "certain change" at the government joint New Year’s meeting. President Moon said, "Fundamentally resolving economic inequality and polarization is possible only when we grow together, and true national unity is possible only on that foundation."

The solution to creating a prosperous Korea for all is the biggest focus of the New Year’s address. President Moon canceled the Blue House senior secretaries and advisors meeting on the day to prepare for the address. The keywords of the presidential New Year’s address are reportedly not significantly different from the framework of the remarks made at the New Year’s meeting on the 2nd. However, it is expected to include concrete implementation plans. Attention is focused on what content will be included regarding future industry development, inclusive growth, and the Korean Peninsula peace process.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Recent international tensions, such as the clashes between the U.S. and Iran, are becoming variables related to the Korean Peninsula’s atmosphere. This could affect President Moon’s concept of a "facilitator" role in denuclearization negotiations.

The Blue House plans to hold a National Security Council (NSC) standing committee meeting this afternoon to discuss the situation in Iran. President Moon instructed NSC standing members to closely examine not only the security situation but also the safety of local Korean residents and crude oil supply. He also requested the attendance of Sung Yun-mo, Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy, at the NSC meeting.

There are also forecasts that, in line with changes in the international situation this year, President Moon will take concrete actions to lead peace on the Korean Peninsula. Jeong Se-hyun, Senior Vice Chairman of the Democratic Peaceful Unification Advisory Council, said in an interview with tbs Traffic Broadcasting radio program "Kim Eo-jun’s News Factory" on the same day, "President Moon said at the New Year’s greeting ceremony that 'peace does not come without action,' and I interpreted this as meaning he will finally take action this year."

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