'Chief of Staff?' and 'Policy Planning?'... Who is the Changed 'Wang Chief Secretary' in the Presidential Office After Personnel Reshuffle?

Senior Chief Secretary as the second-in-command of the Presidential Secretariat
Influences daily tasks such as seating arrangements, work reports, and speaking order in various meetings
Traditionally, the Political Secretary is the top chief, but changes due to the establishment of the Policy Planning Secretary
A leading role comparable to the top Political Secretary is needed to persuade the political sphere

Organization chart of the Presidential Office published on the Presidential Office website. The Presidential Office plans to revise the organization chart, including the recently established Policy Planning Chief's Office. / Photo by Presidential Office website capture

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] The Presidential Office has transitioned from a five-chief system to a six-chief system following President Yoon's 100-day mark in office, with the establishment of a new Chief of Policy Planning position as part of a regular personnel reshuffle.

Among the previous five chiefs?Political Affairs, Civil Society, Public Relations, Economic, and Social?the senior-most, so-called 'Chief Chief,' was the Chief of Political Affairs. However, changes have been identified even in this position.

According to multiple Presidential Office officials on the 27th, the Chief of Policy Planning has recently been recognized as the 'Chief Chief,' as they were the first to be called upon during National Assembly Steering Committee attendance and presidential schedules.

Typically, the 'Chief Chief' acts as the second-in-command within the Presidential Secretariat, influencing daily operations such as seating arrangements at various meetings, work reports, and speaking order, a role traditionally held by the Chief of Political Affairs.

However, given President Yoon's strong will to push reform policies, the Presidential Office has assigned the role of 'Chief Chief' to the Chief of National Policy Planning. The Chief of Policy Planning oversees the Policy Task Secretary, Planning Secretary, and Speech Records Secretary, acting as a control tower managing policies created by the Presidential Office and government, as well as handling the president's messaging.

Previously, during President Park Geun-hye's administration, the Chief of Policy Coordination?who oversaw the Planning Secretary, Policy Task Secretary, and Disaster Safety Secretary?fulfilled the role of 'Chief Chief.'

At a press conference marking his 100th day in office on the 17th, President Yoon stated, “I intend to closely examine any issues in the process of implementing policies and tasks, including any communication problems,” thereby emphasizing the importance of the policy planning sector.

The Office of the Chief of Policy Planning is located on the third floor of the current Yongsan Presidential Office building, one floor above President Yoon’s working office on the second floor. The Presidential Office plans to reflect this hierarchical structure soon in the organizational chart published on its official website.

Lee Gwansub, Chief of Policy Planning at the Presidential Office, is attending the Eulji Cabinet Meeting held on the morning of the 22nd at the Yongsan Presidential Office building in Seoul, conversing with Lee Jinbok, Senior Secretary for Political Affairs.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

However, although the Chief of Policy Planning is officially the 'Chief Chief' by organizational structure, many believe that the Chief of Political Affairs will continue to play a leading role comparable to that of the 'Chief Chief.' This is because, in a situation where the ruling party holds fewer seats than the opposition, the importance of the Chief of Political Affairs Office as a bridge between the Presidential Office, National Assembly, and government remains paramount.

A senior government official stated, "For the major reform tasks of the Yoon Seok-yeol administration to be successfully and timely accomplished, cooperation from the National Assembly is crucial," adding, "The Presidential Office and government are putting a lot of thought and effort into persuading the National Assembly."

Since it is difficult for the Yoon administration to implement all reform legislation solely through executive orders, persuading the National Assembly is an essential factor. For this reason, it is reported that the Presidential Office recently recommended retirement to about three out of ten administrative officers in the Chief of Political Affairs Office.

This is to reassess the capabilities of the members and to more effectively support the Chief of Political Affairs. The Presidential Office has collected work skill reports from employees below the senior administrative officer level (grade 2) and is reportedly using these as basic data for personnel restructuring.

A Presidential Office official commented on the recent reshuffle of the Chief of Political Affairs Office, saying, “This is not a replacement due to moral issues but a reform aimed at bringing in personnel who can sufficiently assist the Chief of Political Affairs in persuading the National Assembly,” adding, “Reforms can occur not only in the Chief of Political Affairs Office but anywhere within the Presidential Office at any time over the next five years as needed.”

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