Two Political Secretaries Resign... Presidential Office Says "Personnel Reshuffle, Chiefs Are No Exception" (Comprehensive Report 2)

Yoon: "Presidential Office Must Be a Group Devoted to the People and the Most Competent to Serve the People Properly"
Regarding Break with Yoon Core Group: "I Cherish the Efforts of Those Who Worked Together... There Can Be No One with Conflicting Interests"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] As the presidential office recently began personnel reshuffling, two secretaries under the Office of Political Affairs simultaneously resigned.

With personnel reshuffling gaining momentum, it is expected that the reorganization will expand around the Chuseok holiday to include not only administrative officers and secretaries but also senior secretaries.

A senior official from the presidential office told reporters at the Yongsan presidential office on the afternoon of the 29th that Hong Ji-man, Political Secretary 1, and Gyeong Yun-ho, Political Secretary 2, both under the Office of Political Affairs, "have recently voluntarily resigned."

The official explained, "There were sufficient discussions within the presidential office regarding organizational diagnosis, and the secretaries expressed their intention to resign accordingly."

When asked whether successors for Political Secretaries 1 and 2 have been appointed and whether the personnel reshuffle will extend to senior secretaries, the official replied, "(Appointments) are continuously supplemented and filled if there are shortcomings from the public's perspective," adding, "Senior secretaries are no exception," and "I do not know who the successors are."

Regarding the personnel reshuffle and its targets, the official refrained from specific comments, saying, "I understand that President Yoon Seok-yeol explained the policy today." On the same day, while heading to the Yongsan presidential office, President Yoon told reporters, "The presidential office must be the most dedicated and competent group to the people to properly serve them."

He continued, "Because it is the most important institution, I believe that a devoted attitude and the highest level of work capability must always be maintained," emphasizing personnel reshuffling.

This personnel reshuffle is not focused on a specific senior secretary’s office but targets the entire presidential office, leading to expectations that some of the approximately 40 secretarial-level aides may be replaced before the Chuseok holiday.

The presidential office instructed all employees below the level of Grade 2 Senior Administrative Officer to prepare a work statement around President Yoon’s 100th day in office.

The work statement reportedly asked whether they meet two major criteria: the spirit of public service and sacrifice for the people, and the capability to earn the public’s trust.

Based on this, the Office of Political Affairs recommended retirement to three out of ten senior administrative officers and administrative officers last week.

Regarding the resignations of the political secretaries and the personnel reshuffle, when a reporter suggested that this might signify a break with Yoon’s core aides (Yoonhaekgwan), the official drew a clear line, saying, "We deeply appreciate the efforts of the secretaries and administrative officers who have worked with us for a long time. There are no individuals within this who have conflicting interests."

He added, "If perspectives for the people differ according to affiliation or recommendation route, there is no reason to work in the presidential office."

Additionally, a secretary under the Office of Civil Society is currently being referred to a personnel committee meeting held today to decide on disciplinary action. This is the first time the presidential office has convened a personnel committee since President Yoon took office.

However, regarding whether the results of the personnel committee will be announced, the official was reserved, stating, "It is customary not to provide detailed explanations about personnel measures except for those publicly announced such as secretaries or administrative officers."

Previously, another secretary from the Office of Civil Society, who was under inspection by the Office of Public Service Discipline for inappropriate contact with external personnel and interference in personnel matters, is also reported to have recently expressed a voluntary resignation.

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