Lee Cheol-hee: "Choi Jae-hyung Resigned for Personal Political Goals Despite President Guaranteeing Neutrality"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Lee Cheol-hee, Senior Secretary for Political Affairs at the Blue House, expressed regret over former Board of Audit and Inspection Chairman Choi Jae-hyung, who recently resigned, saying, "The president thoroughly guaranteed neutrality and independence, but he resigned for personal political goals." Regarding former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol, he refrained from commenting, stating, "He is already a presidential candidate."

In an interview on June 1 with YTN Radio's 'Hwang Bo-seon's Start of a New Morning,' Lee said, "I worry that the next person coming in will also try to do something with this position," criticizing, "It has set a bad precedent."

About former Chairman Choi, Lee said, "Positions requiring neutrality and independence must not only be free from external interference but the person in the position must also sacrifice any other considerations for neutrality and independence," adding, "As far as I know, the president guaranteed neutrality and independence without any interference, so it is regrettable that he resigned for personal political goals."

Regarding former Prosecutor General Yoon's presidential declaration press conference content, he said, "If I evaluate it, it might cause controversy," and added, "He is already a presidential candidate, and it doesn't seem appropriate for someone close to the president at the Blue House to comment on this," thus refraining from further remarks.

On demands for the dismissal of Personnel Secretary Kim Oe-seok following the failure to verify real estate related to former Blue House Secretary Kim Ki-pyo, Lee reflected, "We were lacking and complacent," but countered, "It is not about putting all the responsibility on one person."

He explained, "The Personnel Secretary mainly handles the candidate selection process, then a group of people verify and assess the results and abilities before recommending to the president," emphasizing, "All those involved in these three stages must share responsibility." He also stressed the need to check whether the personnel system is functioning well through this opportunity.

The ruling and opposition parties' consultative body plans to resume within 1 to 2 weeks. Lee said, "Since the June National Assembly is in session, we will either consult there or, after it ends, coordinate behind the scenes to prepare the permanent consultative body for government-party-Blue House affairs," promising to produce results as soon as within 1 to 2 weeks.

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