Shin Hyun-soo's Resignation... Opposition: "Lame Duck Signal" vs Ruling Party: "Opposition Divide-and-Rule"

Political Clash
People Power Party "Pushing for Attendance at National Assembly on 24th"

[Asia Economy Reporters Oh Ju-yeon and Geum Bo-ryeong] While Shin Hyun-soo, Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs at the Blue House, was on a two-day leave, heated debates erupted in the political sphere. The People Power Party interpreted the resignation turmoil as a signal of a lame-duck period, whereas the Democratic Party criticized the opposition’s attacks as attempts to sow discord.

On the 19th, at the People Power Party’s Emergency Committee meeting, Representative Kim Seong-won stated, "The lame-duck phenomenon of the Moon Jae-in administration is deepening due to the Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs turmoil," adding, "We will summon Senior Secretary Shin to the National Assembly’s Steering Committee briefing on the 24th to uncover the truth and issues." Floor leader Joo Ho-young also said the previous day, "Abnormal incidents are occurring frequently, so is it not the case that a key aide appointed only a month ago is rebelling and expressing his intention to resign?" He added, "We will definitely have Senior Secretary Shin attend the National Assembly Steering Committee."

Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the People Power Party, is attending the floor strategy meeting held at the National Assembly on the 19th and delivering opening remarks. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

On the same day, Floor Leader Joo strongly criticized Blue House aides who reportedly asked not to mention the president. He said that both the appointment of the chief prosecutor and the Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs’ position are matters under the president’s jurisdiction, questioning, "Is the president a sacred being above the clouds?" in a pointed critique.

Former Representative Geum Tae-seop also mocked on Facebook, saying, "The president is not a king," and added, "How is this different from the Park Geun-hye Blue House, which used to get angry whenever presidential responsibility was mentioned?" He further stated, "If the Minister of Justice obtained the president’s approval as if in agreement with the Senior Secretary, it is deception against the head of the executive branch; if the Senior Secretary is resigning against the president’s wishes, it should be accepted immediately."

The Democratic Party is maintaining a stance of minimal comment regarding the resignation turmoil. At the Supreme Council meeting held that day, they focused criticism on the illegal surveillance by the National Intelligence Service during the MB administration, without mentioning Senior Secretary Shin. However, in response to reporters’ questions, they said, "It is inappropriate to discuss personnel matters in a large gathering," and only added, "Communication among a small number of senior officials is ongoing." On the same day, Democratic Party Representative Jeon Jae-soo said on the radio, "This is something that can happen sufficiently during personnel coordination," and pointed out, "The opposition is exaggerating and sowing discord in an extreme way."

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