President Moon's New Year 'Blank Slate Political Vision'... Blue House Chiefs Noh Young-min and Kim Sang-jo Resign (Comprehensive)

Jong-ho Kim, Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs, Expresses Resignation Over Ministry of Justice-Prosecution Clash... President Moon Considers Accepting Resignation

[Asia Economy Reporters Ryu Jeong-min and Son Seon-hee] The resignation of Presidential Chief of Staff Noh Young-min as well as Policy Chief Kim Sang-jo carries the significance of giving President Moon Jae-in more room to plan the political landscape ahead of 2021. It essentially paves the way for President Moon to use various options, including reshuffling the Blue House aides, while preparing the blueprint for state affairs.

Jung Man-ho, Blue House Senior Secretary for Public Communication, explained at a briefing at the Press Center on the 30th, "They expressed their intention to step down so that the President can plan state affairs from a clean slate during this nationally difficult time." Politically, it also carries the meaning of revitalizing state affairs.

Noh Young-min’s resignation was an anticipated matter both inside and outside the political circles. Next month marks two full years since Noh was appointed as the Blue House Chief of Staff. Considering the mental and physical burdens of the position, there was a consensus within and outside the ruling party that it was time for a change. It implies that it is time for him to step down to form a practical third term of the Blue House to conclude President Moon’s tenure.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Noh Young-min is mentioned as a potential candidate for the ruling party’s governor candidate for Chungbuk Province in the nationwide local elections scheduled for June 2022. If he steps down from the Blue House Chief of Staff position, there is a possibility that he will return to politics and take on a new role.

The announcement of Policy Chief Kim Sang-jo’s position came as a surprising choice to some. While the ruling party expressed opinions that a full-scale reshuffle of the Blue House was necessary, there was also a cautious view within the Blue House about expanding the scope of aide replacements.

As a result, with Kim Sang-jo also expressing his intention to resign, it appears that two of the three chiefs, excluding National Security Chief Suh Hoon, will be replaced. The reshuffle of key Blue House aides is expected to be a variable in the new year’s state affairs management. Depending on who succeeds Noh Young-min and Kim Sang-jo, the flow and direction of President Moon’s governance could change.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The resignation of Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs Kim Jong-ho is related to the conflicts between Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae and Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl, as well as the confusion surrounding disciplinary actions. A senior Blue House official explained, "I understand that the Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs intends to take responsibility as the chief secretary for the series of confusion that occurred during the recent prosecution reform process."

Since Kim Jong-ho has been in his role for less than six months, attention is focused on what decision President Moon will make.

Although Noh Young-min, Kim Sang-jo, and Kim Jong-ho have expressed their intention to resign, they are expected to continue performing their original roles for the time being. A senior Blue House official said, "I understand that President Moon will listen to various opinions and carefully consider the issues, including the approval and the appointment of successors, during the holidays."

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