Ahn Cheol-soo: "No advice process in personnel selection... Lee Tae-gyu is struggling" ... Joint government on the test stand

Jang Je-won "I Want to Keep Working with Lee Tae-gyu" Dismisses Yoon-An Conflict Rumors

Ahn Cheol-soo, Chairman of the Presidential Transition Committee, is receiving an explanation about the police's emergency contact smartwatches for personal protection near Jahamun-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 12th. Photo by Transition Committee Press Corps

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] Ahn Cheol-soo, chairman of the Presidential Transition Committee, made a candid remark on the 12th regarding President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol’s first cabinet appointments, saying, "I wanted to offer advice especially in areas where I have expertise during the selection process, but there was no such opportunity."

The resignation of Assemblyman Lee Tae-gyu from the Transition Committee’s Planning and Coordination Subcommittee and Chairman Ahn’s comments on personnel matters have brought the conflict between the two sides over appointments to the surface, leading to assessments that the joint government is now being put to the test.

After visiting the Seoul Metropolitan Government’s comprehensive situation room in Jongno-gu, Seoul, Chairman Ahn told reporters in response to a question about rumors that none of the personnel he recommended were included in President Yoon’s cabinet appointments, "The most important criteria for personnel, in my view, are expertise in the relevant field, morality, a willingness to reform, and leadership capable of achieving these goals." He added, "However, I hope that those appointed this time will properly fit the blueprint I envision for this new government and carry it out well."

Chairman Ahn, who was promised a joint government with President-elect Yoon during the presidential campaign, expressed regret over not being able to advise President-elect Yoon on areas where he has expertise during the cabinet selection process. He said, "On March 3rd, when we unified the opposition candidates, we made a public promise to jointly replace the government, jointly take over the government, and jointly operate the government. The reason I took on the role of chairman of the transition committee is because drawing the blueprint for the new government properly is a very important task, like the first button on a shirt, so I have been working hard on that." He continued, "I also recommended capable people who can properly implement that blueprint. But personnel decisions are the prerogative of the president-elect, aren’t they?"

When asked if Assemblyman Lee Tae-gyu’s resignation from the transition committee reflected this situation and whether he had spoken with the assemblyman, Ahn said, "Assemblyman Lee first expressed his intention to resign to me, and we had many discussions. It seems that he faced many difficulties and hardships during the presidential election process, the candidate unification process, and while working on the transition committee. So he conveyed to me that he found it hard to bear these aspects." When asked what was difficult for the assemblyman to endure, he replied, "That is a personal matter, so I don’t think it’s something I should talk about," and refrained from elaborating.

Jang Je-won, chief secretary to the president-elect, expressed caution about the growing speculation over conflicts between the two sides. He said, "Anyway, I have had deep trust and conversations with Assemblyman Lee from the opposition candidate unification process during the last presidential election through the formation and operation of the transition committee. I always feel an infinite responsibility for this administration. My trust in him has not changed at all. So I hope we can work together," he emphasized repeatedly. Jang also said the day before, "I frequently communicate with Chairman Ahn on various current issues."

However, Chairman Ahn explained that regarding conversations with Chief Secretary Jang, "They were about transition committee tasks," adding, "It was about the transition committee schedule and such. As chairman of the transition committee, I was discussing how to select proper national tasks and draw a good blueprint so that the new government can launch on time. There was no talk about personnel matters."

Regarding speculation that Assemblyman Lee’s resignation and related issues might stall the merger between the People Power Party and the People’s Party, Ahn said, "The merger is currently entrusted to party officials, including the party secretary-general. We will have to watch how things develop."

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