Yoon's Steadfast Personnel Moves... Empowering Kim Moon-soo and Forcing Lee Dong-gwan's Appointment

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President Yoon Suk-yeol is likely to nominate Lee Dong-gwan, a special advisor for external cooperation at the Presidential Office, as the new chairman of the Korea Communications Commission as early as the beginning of this week. Although the opposition continues to attack over the 'son's school violence controversy,' it has been confirmed that after the victim, identified as A, made a statement, the Presidential Office made a final judgment that this situation is 'different from the Jeong Soon-shin incident.'

According to political circles and the Presidential Office on the 12th, President Yoon is considering nominating a candidate for the chairman of the Korea Communications Commission in conjunction with the replacement of vice ministers in government ministries as early as this week. A Presidential Office official said, "Considering the president's upcoming schedule and public opinion atmosphere, the possibility of this week has increased," adding, "Since the suspicions have been clarified, it is a priority to reduce any gaps in state administration even by a day."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The variable regarding this special advisor disappeared after the person identified as having been bullied by the advisor's son directly expressed their position. They stated through the media that they have reconciled, are currently on good terms, and requested not to be called a victim of school violence. In particular, A revealed that they reconciled with the advisor's son during the first semester of their first year in high school and have maintained a good relationship, even meeting this spring.

The Presidential Office judged that the highly sensitive issue of school violence, which is the most delicate in public sentiment, is no longer a point of contention in this Korea Communications Commission appointment and is confident that this situation differs from the previous 'Jeong Soon-shin incident.' Previously, Jeong Soon-shin, a lawyer, was forced to step down after his son's school violence was revealed through the media following his nomination as head of the National Investigation Headquarters.

The ruling party and the Presidential Office view the opposition's continued attacks as manageable. The Democratic Party of Korea stated, "We respect A's position," but also claimed, "There are other victims." Democratic Party lawmaker Kang Deuk-gu said, "At least four students have been confirmed as victims of the special advisor's son," implying that the advisor's statement only addressed one victim. However, the ruling party and the Presidential Office reportedly reaffirmed the special advisor's position that the Democratic Party's additional allegations are "not true."

Above all, President Yoon's personnel style of "once trusted, entrusted until the end" is likely to be applied again this time. It is known that President Yoon also considers this special advisor as the right person to lead the media reform pursued by the Yoon administration. Having served as the Blue House's public relations chief and possessing a high analytical ability regarding media and broadcasting mechanisms, the advisor is expected to produce meaningful results in strengthening the fairness of public broadcasting.

Recently, President Yoon conveyed a message to Kim Moon-soo, chairman of the Economic, Social and Labor Council, saying, "Do not waver and work harder." This was in the same context. After the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions declared its non-participation in the council, responsibility was raised not only by the opposition but also within the ruling party against Chairman Kim, but President Yoon instead supported him. The Presidential Office has maintained a principle that it is difficult to accept the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions' behavior of calling labor oppression over the unavoidable suppression of illegal violent protests by unions, reaffirming the existing policy of labor and management rule of law.

In line with President Yoon's personnel policy, a moderate or greater reshuffle of vice ministers to gain momentum for the second year of his administration is expected to take place this week. The strategy is to invigorate the public service through vice minister-level appointments instead of ministers and to achieve a cabinet-level effect in revitalizing state affairs. It is known that the list of personnel candidates has been virtually finalized, and there is speculation inside and outside the Presidential Office that more than half of the vice ministers among the 19 government ministries could be replaced.

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