November 'Cabinet Reshuffle Breeze', Will Ministers of Welfare and Labor from Blue House Senior Secretary Backgrounds Be Appointed?

Cabinet Reshuffle Expected in 3-4 Ministries Soon... Deputy Prime Minister Hong Nam-ki Weighs Keeping Ministers Choo Mi-ae, Kim Hyun-mi, and Kang Kyung-wha in Office

[Asia Economy Reporter Ryu Jeong-min] As speculation arises that a cabinet reshuffle may take place as early as the end of November, the possibility of appointing former Blue House senior secretaries is drawing attention. This reshuffle is expected to include three to four ministries such as the Ministry of Health and Welfare, the Ministry of Employment and Labor, and the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family.

The Ministry of SMEs and Startups could be added to the reshuffle list depending on whether Park Young-sun, the Minister of SMEs and Startups, decides to run in the Seoul mayoral by-election. Hong Nam-ki, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance, and Choo Mi-ae, Minister of Justice, are expected to remain in their posts. Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Kim Hyun-mi and Minister of Foreign Affairs Kang Kyung-wha are also likely to be retained.

According to the ruling party on the 17th, Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun recently met with Kim Oe-sook, the Blue House Senior Secretary for Personnel Affairs, to exchange opinions. The Blue House explained that the Prime Minister and the Senior Secretary for Personnel Affairs have a relationship that allows them to meet irregularly. This means they usually exchange opinions due to the nature of their work, but considering the timing of talks about the cabinet reshuffle, the meeting holds special significance.

The view of Cheongwadae from Namsan, Seoul on the 11th. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

In fact, inside and outside the ruling party, the ministries targeted for reshuffle and the leading candidates are being discussed. Prime Minister Chung’s message that the reshuffle will be carried out in two phases and that the timing will be earlier than expected adds weight to these speculations.

First, for the successor to Minister of Health and Welfare Park Neung-hoo, former Director of the Office for Government Policy Coordination Noh Hyung-wook and former Blue House Senior Secretary for Social Affairs Kim Yeon-myeong are being considered. Although former Secretary Kim has returned to his position as a professor at Chung-Ang University, it is speculated that he will be reappointed considering President Moon Jae-in’s trust in him.

For the successor to Minister of Employment and Labor Lee Jae-gap, former Blue House Senior Secretary for Jobs Hwang Deok-soon is being mentioned. Both former Secretaries Hwang and Kim have experience working closely with President Moon. If President Moon emphasizes stability in government policy, they may have an advantage over other candidates. It is also noteworthy that individuals trusted by President Moon in recent personnel appointments are being reassigned to key positions.

Minister of Gender Equality and Family Lee Jeong-ok, who recently caused controversy due to a verbal misstep, is widely expected to be replaced. Politicians are being considered as candidates for her successor. The ministerial appointment is expected to be made after comprehensively reviewing factors such as passing the National Assembly’s confirmation hearing.

Choo Mi-ae, who has attracted attention, is reportedly set to remain in her post. Given that Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl is maintaining his position, replacing only Minister Choo could weaken the momentum for prosecutorial reform, which is an important consideration. Minister Kim’s resignation would also be problematic as it could be interpreted as an admission of failure in real estate policy.

The opposition party’s strong demands for the resignation of Ministers Choo and Kim are in a similar context. On the 17th, Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the People Power Party, said in an interview with CBS Radio’s 'Kim Hyun-jung’s News Show,' "I am cautious because personnel matters cannot be confirmed before they are finalized, but every administration collapses because it refuses to admit its mistakes and stubbornly holds on," calling for a full cabinet reshuffle.

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