[Q&A] Yoon Begins Transition Team Announcement... "Will Leave No Gaps in People's Livelihood"

Announcement of the Transition Committee Chairperson at the People Power Party Headquarters on the Afternoon of the 13th

President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol is answering reporters' questions after announcing the appointment results of the Presidential Transition Committee chairman and vice chairman at the People Power Party central office in Yeouido, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 13th. On the same day, President-elect Yoon stated, "Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People’s Party, has been appointed as the chairman of the Transition Committee, and Kwon Young-se, a member of the People Power Party, has been appointed as the vice chairman." Photo by the National Assembly Press Photographers Group

[Asia Economy Reporter Kum Boryeong] President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol appointed Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People’s Party, as the chairman of the Presidential Transition Committee (Transition Committee) on the 13th. Alongside this, Kwon Young-se, a member of the People Power Party, was named vice chairman, and Won Hee-ryong, former governor of Jeju Province, was appointed as the planning committee chairman.

On the afternoon of the 13th, Yoon held a press conference at the People Power Party headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, stating, “We will swiftly take over government affairs concerning national security and the livelihood of the people, and establish the new government’s national agenda to ensure there are no gaps in national security and the people’s livelihood.” He added, “We will serve the people properly as the true owners with a capable and efficient government and achieve national unity.”

Below is a Q&A session with President-elect Yoon.

- It has been reported that Assemblyman Kwon Young-se initially declined the vice chairman position. What process did you go through to persuade him?

▲ Assemblyman Kwon said he was mentally and physically exhausted from serving as the head of the election campaign headquarters and wished to rest, but shortly after, he said, “It’s an important task, so I will take it,” and accepted.

- The Economic Committee was divided into two subcommittees. What is the difference between them?

▲ The first and second subcommittees have probably been traditionally divided. The first subcommittee focuses on macroeconomics, finance, and fiscal matters, while the second mainly deals with industry.

- There are reports that the prime minister’s confirmation is being expedited. Do you intend to proceed quickly?

▲ The nomination of the prime minister will be decided so that the new government can launch without any setbacks after completing the confirmation hearing. Right now, the important issue is the launch of the Transition Committee.

- What was discussed in your conversation with Mrs. Kwon Yang-sook?

▲ Mrs. Kwon Yang-sook sent congratulatory flowers, and I called to express my thanks.

- You have special committees within the Transition Committee. Does the chairman hold all these positions concurrently?

▲ The National Unity Committee and the Special Committee on Regional Balanced Development will have personnel appointments. Regarding COVID-19, since the chairman of the Transition Committee is an expert in quarantine and medical fields, I asked him to handle this part.

- During the election, you pledged to provide 10 million won in support to small business owners. When do you expect the payments to begin?

▲ The basic amount was said to be about 10 million won, and we are preparing by setting various criteria for loss details, quantifying, and grading them. Since this is connected to quarantine and related issues, I thought it would be better for the chairman of the Transition Committee to directly oversee it.

- Regarding the pledge to abolish the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, opposition parties are expected to strongly oppose it, and there are also differing opinions within the ruling party. How do you plan to overcome this?

▲ I have set a principle. It is currently difficult to resolve crimes or injustices experienced by women or men in specific situations through collective distinctions of women and men or equal treatment within those groups. Due to severe gender discrimination in the past, former President Kim Dae-jung established this ministry, which has played a role through legislation and other means. However, from now on, it is appropriate to respond more decisively to individual and specific cases of injustice or criminal matters. Therefore, I believe the ministry’s historical mission has been fulfilled. I think we need to design a more effective government organization to address unfair human rights violations and provide remedies more effectively.

- The Planning Committee seems to be a new concept. How will it be organized in relation to other subcommittees?

▲ The Transition Committee receives reports from government officials for the handover, creates the new government’s national agenda, and prioritizes tasks. Since we must also consider the promises I made to the people during the election campaign, we established the Planning Committee. Both must proceed together to properly fulfill the promises made. If we only receive government work and create the agenda, the promises I made to the people could be neglected.

- Yoon Ho-jung, emergency committee chairman of the Democratic Party of Korea, said that you agreed to a special investigation on the Daejang-dong development scandal and that it could be handled within March. What is your response?

▲ I believe that any measures to clarify the truth must be done transparently for the public to see. There should be no tricks or evasions. I have consistently advocated this since last year.

- Regarding personnel principles, you emphasized ability and competence. Does this mean that, unlike the Moon Jae-in administration, you will not consider regional or gender quotas in forming the Transition Committee?

▲ This is not a matter to confirm or deny. To properly serve the people, we must select the most experienced and capable individuals in each field, not divide positions for the sake of sharing. National unity comes from selecting competent people and prioritizing balanced regional development. While this is the priority, various considerations should also be taken into account. If appointments are not based on competence, I believe the youth and future generations will likely be disappointed in the government.

- Your spokesperson said this morning that there is no special stance on North Korea’s intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) movements and expressed hope for dialogue. Is this because it is difficult to view the current situation as a provocation by North Korea?

▲ There seems to be a misunderstanding. Before the spokesperson said anything, I was not briefed. We have already stated our position on whether this is an ICBM or not. There will be no further statements.

- You mentioned there are 24 members of the Transition Committee, but with seven subcommittees, one committee, and two special committees, the numbers don’t add up exactly. Which areas will receive more focus?

▲ The number of 24 members is set by law. The chairman, vice chairman, and members of the Transition Committee are legally fixed. Other professional members, working members, special committees, and committees are not legally limited. The 24 members will be distributed with 3 to 4 members per each of the seven subcommittees.

- Which subcommittee will have the most members?

▲ No subcommittee will have 5 or only 1 to 2 members; we plan to distribute 3 to 4 members evenly.

- Why are the three subcommittees?Planning Coordination, Foreign Affairs & Security, and Political & Judicial Affairs?directly managed from Tongui-dong?

▲ It’s not direct management. The Transition Committee’s chairman and vice chairman organize the committee, and of course, they will report to me.

- Why will you be working from Tongui-dong this time?

▲ We have two locations, Tongui-dong and Samcheong-dong, but Tongui-dong lacks space for press briefings. We are using the site of the Financial Training Institute in Samcheong-dong, but not everyone can fit there, so we have to split the locations.

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