Presidential Office: "Respecting Yoon Jong-won's Refusal to Serve as Chief of the Office for Government Policy Coordination, a Difficult Decision"

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] A presidential office official on the 28th commented on IBK Industrial Bank of Korea President Yoon Jong-won's refusal to accept the appointment as Minister for Government Policy Coordination, saying, "We respect the difficult decision he made."

A presidential office official said in a phone call with Asia Economy, "We respect (President Yoon's) difficult decision." No official statement was issued on behalf of the presidential spokesperson on that day.

Earlier, the ruling party, led by Kwon Seong-dong, the floor leader of the People Power Party, opposed President Yoon's appointment as Minister for Government Policy Coordination on the 25th. The reason was that President Yoon, having served as the chief economic secretary under the Moon Jae-in administration, led economic policies such as real estate, nuclear phase-out, and income-led growth, making him unsuitable for the new government's Minister for Government Policy Coordination.

The Minister for Government Policy Coordination, who is positioned directly under the Prime Minister in the organizational structure of the Prime Minister's Office, assists the Prime Minister by overseeing the cabinet and coordinating policies. When President Yoon expressed his refusal, Prime Minister nominee Han Duck-soo indicated his intention to replace him.

President Yoon Seok-yeol has taken the stance of "reflecting the Prime Minister's opinion as much as possible, as they will work most closely together" regarding the appointment of the Minister for Government Policy Coordination, and it is interpreted that he has shown willingness to accept the replacement of the candidate according to the Prime Minister's opinion this time as well.

When asked about the possibility of the presidential office stepping in to find a new candidate for the Minister for Government Policy Coordination, the official hinted that the Prime Minister would continue to be in charge of the appointment, saying, "(The Minister for Government Policy Coordination) is someone who will work with the Prime Minister."

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