Yoon-Ahn Cabinet Appointment Conflict Resolved... Ahn Cheol-soo Says "Spirit of Joint Government Damaged but Will Serve Until End of Term"

Ahn's First Day at Work After Conflict Over Cabinet Appointments
Expected to Influence Future Science, Health, and Venture Appointments

220415 President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol Attends Transition Committee Secretariat Meeting
President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol is delivering opening remarks at the Secretariat meeting chaired by Chairman Ahn Cheol-soo, held on the 15th at the Transition Committee meeting room in Tongui-dong.

President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol and Presidential Transition Committee Chairman Ahn Cheol-soo appeared together at a meeting on the 15th. Following an emergency dinner meeting the previous day to resolve conflicts over cabinet appointments, they expressed their intention to continue the spirit of a joint government the next day. However, concerns have been raised that there are hidden landmines throughout the process of promoting the joint government.

On the day, Chairman Ahn revealed his true feelings at the transition committee in Tongui-dong, Seoul, saying, "There have been incidents that could damage the spirit of the joint government," and added, "For the future of the nation and the people, I intend to do my best to complete my term as chairman." This was a promise to prevent recurrence after speculation about his resignation following his absence from the transition committee the previous day. He also said, "We have agreed to have in-depth discussions on personnel and policies regarding the overall state affairs (with President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol) going forward."

President-elect Yoon did not issue any message related to the 'conflict' on the day. At the first official schedule after resolving the conflict, the full meeting of the secretariat, he emphasized the complex crisis situation of the economy and placed weight on the role of the transition committee and the new government. Yoon said, "All standards for the new government's national tasks must be solely based on national interest and prioritizing the people," and added, "As important as selecting national tasks is the actual implementation. I ask the transition committee to establish concrete implementation plans so that promises made to the people can be kept." He added, "First and foremost, it is the livelihood of the people."

It has been reported that President-elect Yoon has decided to reflect Chairman Ahn's intentions regarding future appointments and policy directions in the fields of science and technology, health and welfare, and small and medium-sized ventures. Chairman Ahn has expertise in these fields, having experience as a doctor, venture company representative, and engineering professor. He is expected to exert influence over appointments such as vice ministers and affiliated institutions in these areas going forward.

However, some within the transition committee still hold the view that the joint government plan may ultimately fail. A transition committee official pointed out, "If people from Chairman Ahn's side have not joined any ministry, wouldn't that mean the joint government is already off the table?" and added, "There will likely be continuous attempts to push out (Ahn Cheol-soo's personnel) even after the transition committee."

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