The Rise of the Forgotten '97 Group'... The Paradox of Generation Change at Cheong

Blue House Personnel Appointment Imminent, Protocol and PR Lines Focus on 1970s Generation... 40s Sandwiched Generation Overshadowed by 86 Group

[Asia Economy Reporter Ryu Jeong-min] As the Blue House secretary appointments approach, the so-called '97 Group' is emerging as the main force in the protocol and public relations lines.

The key figures are Tak Hyun-min, a presidential event planning advisory committee member born in 1973, who is reportedly nominated as the Blue House Protocol Secretary; Han Jeong-woo, born in 1971, the newly discussed Public Relations Planning Secretary and Chunghwagwan Director; and Kim Jae-jun, born in 1971, a senior administrative officer of the Blue House First Secretariat, who is gaining attention as a candidate for the new Chunghwagwan Director.

The commonality among them is that they are trusted figures of President Moon Jae-in. They had connections with him even before his political career in Yeouido or served closely during his time as a member of the National Assembly. If these individuals are included in the Blue House’s announced appointments, it is interpreted as a symbolic scene of generational change.

Archive photo / Photo by Mun Honam munonam@

This is said to be a symbolic appointment representing a 'younger Blue House' responsible for the latter half of President Moon’s term. However, there are opinions that defining those aged 48 to 50 in Korean age as young is somewhat of a stretch.

Those born in the 1970s who attended university in the 1990s now make up most of the 40s age group. The 97 Group has been overshadowed by their direct seniors, the '86 Group' (those born in the 1960s who attended university in the 1980s). The 97 Group has neither grown into political leaders nor become the core of the aide group, which still mainly consists of the 86 Group.

After the 86 Group, the generations gaining social attention are the '90s-born' and '2000s-born.' Their culture and generational characteristics have become the focus in major areas such as politics, economy, and society. Meanwhile, the 97 Group has quietly reached middle age.

During the participatory government era, President Moon held key positions such as Chief of Staff in his early to mid-50s. Im Jong-seok, the first Chief of Staff responsible for the first half of the Moon Jae-in administration, was already a member of the National Assembly in his early 30s. Considering the periods when major figures took on key roles in the past, the appointment of the 97 Group is actually late.

Although the 97 Group is receiving attention in this Blue House personnel reshuffle, all current senior secretary-level officials were born in the 1950s to 1960s. Even if the 97 Group emerges as the main force in the protocol and public relations lines, it still means they have not moved beyond the position of practical aides.

Um Kyung-young, director of the Era Spirit Research Institute, analyzed, "If the 1980s were an 'era of heroes' centered on student movements, the subsequent era has been one in which heroes are hard to appear." He added, "Although the importance of generational change is emphasized in politics, the target will be the generation in their 30s now, rather than the 97 Group."

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