Yoon: "No Cabinet Reshuffle for the Time Being... Don't Be Swayed by Unfounded Rumors"

President Yoon Emphasizes to Participants at Cabinet Meeting
"If Direction and Plans Are Well Set, Results Must Be Achieved"
Urges All Ministries to Act as 'One Team' to Lay Foundation for Leap Forward

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] President Yoon Suk-yeol dismissed rumors of a cabinet reshuffle during the first Cabinet meeting of the new year held on the 3rd, stating, "There will be no reshuffle for the time being."

At the Cabinet meeting held at the Yongsan Presidential Office, President Yoon told the Cabinet members in attendance, "Do not be swayed by baseless rumors," according to participants.

Since the end of last year, there had been speculation in political circles that President Yoon might carry out a minor cabinet reshuffle targeting some ministers to drive reforms in the second year of the new administration. Specific ministries and targets were mentioned, causing unrest within the civil service.

However, as President Yoon drew a clear line against the reshuffle rumors at the Cabinet meeting, it is expected that the Cabinet members will be empowered to push forward with their policies. In particular, President Yoon encouraged them by saying, "When rumors of 'possible replacement' circulate, civil servants also become unsettled. Since that will not happen, focus on preparing for the new year's work."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

In a New Year's interview with the Chosun Ilbo released the day before, President Yoon also denied the reshuffle rumors, saying, "I don't think personnel changes are made for political reasons or to change the situation. Rather, personnel decisions should be based on suitability for the job and discovering people who can perform better."

Additionally, in his closing remarks at the Cabinet meeting, President Yoon said, "New crises and challenges await us this year. We must not be intimidated or succumb to them," according to a written briefing by Lee Jae-myung, deputy spokesperson of the Presidential Office.

President Yoon also emphasized, "It is important to correct our stance before the people and set the right direction. If the direction and plans are well established, we must produce results that the people can feel. If there are only slogans, directions, declarations, and plans without implementation and results, the people will be disappointed. I hope this year will be one in which we keep our promises to the people, carry them out, and achieve results."

Furthermore, he stressed, "Although each ministry has different tasks, we must become a 'one team.' Let us also become a 'one team' with local governments and businesses to lay the foundation for a new leap forward."

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