'Combat Power Enhancement' vs 'Patchwork Personnel'... Shin Won-sik, Yoo In-chon, Kim Haeng, Yeouido's Gaze

Diverging Evaluations of the Second Cabinet Reshuffle by Ruling and Opposition Parties
Public Opinion Flow Draws Attention Ahead of Chuseok

President Yoon Suk-yeol's second cabinet reshuffle on the 13th has received mixed evaluations, with some viewing it as personnel changes aimed at strengthening combat power, while others see it as a stopgap measure.

President Yoon nominated Shin Won-sik, a member of the People Power Party, as the Minister of National Defense; Yoo In-chon, a cultural and sports special advisor to the Presidential Office, as the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism; and Kim Haeng, a former emergency committee member of the People Power Party, as the Minister of Gender Equality and Family.

Regarding this personnel change, the Democratic Party of Korea criticized it as "old-fashioned, pathetic, and full of reckless remarks, like personnel from the late Joseon period," particularly describing Shin Won-sik as a "scapegoat appointment" intended to downplay allegations of interference in the Marine Corps investigation.

Democratic Party lawmaker Yoon Gun-young said in an interview with MBC Radio's "Kim Jong-bae's Focus" on the 14th, "Usually, in the second year of a presidency, the second personnel reshuffle clearly shows the president's distinct color. It shows a concept like balanced appointments or reform appointments." He added, "President Yoon Suk-yeol has no such concept or color. If I had to force a concept, it would be a stopgap appointment."

Yoo In-chon, nominee for Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism (from left), Kim Haeng, nominee for Minister of Gender Equality and Family, and Shin Won-sik, nominee for Minister of National Defense, are attending the second cabinet reshuffle announcement briefing by Kim Dae-gi, Chief Presidential Secretary, held at the Yongsan Presidential Office building in Seoul on the 13th. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Regarding some analyses describing the appointments as "fighter-type, warrior-type personnel," he said, "I completely disagree," adding, "I wonder if the president is still relying on the leadership style of a prosecutor general." Yoon explained, "In the prosecutor group, there is a principle called the unity of the prosecutor, where prosecutors must unconditionally follow prosecutor orders. Now, it seems the appointments are viewed from the perspective of unity within the cabinet or ministers," and "The only criterion seems to be whether the person listens well to me."

Lawmaker Ahn Min-seok evaluated, "The three individuals Yoo In-chon, Shin Won-sik, and Kim Haeng share exactly two characteristics: extreme conservatism and combat power." Appearing on YTN Radio that day, Ahn said, "The fact that no ruling party figures, not even the president, visited Lee Jae-myung's hunger strike site confirms that there is absolutely no intention to engage in dialogue or cooperation with the opposition," adding, "Watching the second cabinet reshuffle has only solidified that judgment."

On the other hand, the People Power Party viewed it as "a declaration of intent to tighten the reins where speed is necessary."

People Power Party lawmaker Ha Tae-kyung said, "Capable people can serve two or three times," adding, "Members of the National Assembly also serve two or three times, even five or six times." This was a rebuttal to opposition criticism labeling Yoo, who served as Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism during the Lee Myung-bak administration, as "an outdated appointment."

Ha said on YTN Radio that day, "Trust is not only strong for MB (former President Lee Myung-bak's) men but also for Roh Moo-hyun's men like Prime Minister Han Duck-soo," and "Also, candidate Kim Haeng was a spokesperson for the Park Geun-hye administration, but ultimately, which administration a person belongs to is not what matters."

Lee Cheol-gyu, Secretary-General of the People Power Party, said, "Within our party, Party Leader Kim Ki-hyun proposed and recommended the replacement of three ministers." On KBS Radio's "Choi Kyung-young's Strong Current Affairs" that day, Lee asserted regarding candidate Shin Won-sik, "What is most important now is national security."

Lee explained, "We need someone with professional insight into security and the capability to command and lead the military, not someone who tries to deceive the public with sweet words. The fact that he is our party's top defense expert is the main reason our party leader recommended him."

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