Ahn Cheol-soo on Yoon Government Cabinet: "Recommending Good People"

Ahn Cheol-soo, Chairman of the Presidential Transition Committee Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Bu Aeri] Ahn Cheol-soo, chairman of the Presidential Transition Committee, announced on the 7th that he has recommended personnel for the new government's cabinet and related positions.

Chairman Ahn said to reporters on his way to the Transition Committee office in Tongui-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, "I have recommended some people with whom I have some connection and others who have none but are reputable in the scientific community," adding, "The final selection will go through a verification process and will be decided by President-elect Yoon."

Regarding the ministerial recommendations for the People’s Party quota, he explained, "There is no specific quota, but if there is a good person, I recommend them. During the previous transition committee as well, we made recommendations, and even people with no ties to the party were recommended and appointed if they were good experts."

Currently, Shin Yong-hyun, spokesperson for the transition committee and a member of the People’s Party, is being considered as a candidate for Minister of Science and ICT, and Professor Nam Ki-tae of Seoul National University’s Department of Materials Science and Engineering, recommended by Chairman Ahn, is also a candidate for the Minister of Science and ICT. Professor Baek Kyung-ran of Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine is being mentioned as a candidate for Minister of Health and Welfare.

Regarding reports that Chairman Ahn declined to be the head of the local election campaign committee, he said, "The merger has not been finalized yet, so that question is too premature," adding, "I am willing to serve quietly and will go anywhere help is needed to assist diligently."

When asked whether the 50 trillion won pledge for the supplementary budget (추경) might be reduced, he stated, "We are considering how to accurately estimate the losses and how to resolve any blind spots so that many people can receive benefits fairly without complaints."

Chairman Ahn continued, "Globally, inflation is becoming very severe, and interest rates are rising. If a large amount of money is suddenly released at such a time, the effect of the interest rate hike disappears, forcing further rate increases, which increases the interest burden on households with high debt. We are contemplating the best way to provide compensation while minimizing this vicious cycle."

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