Yoon's Team: "Economic Deputy Prime Minister to Be Announced Sunday If Possible... Appointments Within Current Organizational Structure Law"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyemin] Jang Je-won, Chief of Staff to President-elect Jang Je-won, stated that verification work is underway so that the candidate for Deputy Prime Minister for Economy can be announced on the 10th. He also presented the principle that ministerial appointments will proceed under the current government organization law system.

On the morning of the 7th, Jang met with reporters in front of the transition committee office in Tongui-dong, Seoul, saying, "(The progress on announcing the candidate for Deputy Prime Minister for Economy) is actually the same as yesterday. The verification report has not yet arrived," but added, "We will try to move as quickly as possible so that the announcement can be made on Sunday." The announcement will be made directly by President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol.

He said, "When announcing the Deputy Prime Minister for Economy, all selected candidates will be announced," adding, "No one has been selected yet. The verification report is not progressing." He reiterated, "Since many verification reports have been submitted at once, we will do our best to make the announcement on Sunday."

He denied reports that the Ministers of Education and the Ministry of the Interior and Safety have been confirmed. Regarding reports that Rep. Lee Tae-gyu of the People’s Party and former Rep. Na Kyung-won of the People Power Party have been confirmed for cabinet posts, he said, "They have not been confirmed." In response to criticism that there are no young people among the ministerial candidates, he said, "Rather than dividing by region, generation, or gender, we are planning teamwork measures that can produce results," adding, "Doing the work well and producing results will also help national unity."

He also revealed the principle of appointing ministers under the current ministry system. Jang said, "Even if the government organization law is finalized, there is a large opposition party, so instead of submitting the bill immediately, it is necessary to consult with the Democratic Party and also have time to gather public opinion," adding, "For an efficient and competent government, it is realistically difficult to proceed with the government organization law and ministerial appointments simultaneously."

He continued, "We will carry out the appointment work within the current organizational law system," adding, "If we wait for the government organization law to be finalized before making appointments, there could be a significant gap in state affairs, and we must prevent this." When asked if the government organization could be reorganized before the regular National Assembly session in September, he replied, "That would be our hope." He also hinted at the possibility of appointing vice ministers before confirmation hearings in consultation with ministerial candidates.

Regarding the appointment of the National Intelligence Service director, he said, "Since the current president nominates the director, the president-elect cannot make the nomination," adding, "It is a matter that takes a lot of time, and the nomination and hearing request will be made after inauguration."

On the appointment of the presidential chief of staff, he said, "It will be difficult to announce together." Regarding appointment criteria, he said, "Regardless of the field, we hope for people with professional sensibility and experience," adding, "We are requesting and competing across economic and social sectors." On the reorganization of the Blue House, including the abolition of the Policy Office and the Civil Affairs Office, he said, "That is not yet finalized," but explained, "We plan to move toward a slimmer and more agile organization."

When asked if a public-private joint committee could be launched immediately after President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol’s inauguration, he said, "There is a huge demand for personnel now. Vice ministers and Blue House appointments are needed, and all must undergo verification," adding, "Please give us some time. We are doing our best to launch the government, but we cannot guarantee how it will turn out."

Regarding the name of the new government, he said that "Yoon Seok-yeol Government" is the likely choice. He said, "Yoon Seok-yeol clearly represents fairness, common sense, and justice. We are considering what other words might be better besides 'Yoon Seok-yeol,'" adding, "Nothing has been decided yet, but many transition committee members think it will be called the Yoon Seok-yeol Government."

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