Resilient Choi Kang-wook, Cheong Secretary, Resigns... Speculation on Proportional Representation Candidacy (Comprehensive)

by Son Seonhee

Published 16 Mar.2020 11:31(KST)

Cheong Gwang-wook, Secretary for Public Discipline at the Blue House <span class="image-source">Photo by Yonhap News</span>

Cheong Gwang-wook, Secretary for Public Discipline at the Blue House Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Son Sun-hee] Choi Kang-wook, Secretary for Public Office Discipline at the Blue House, who was indicted by the prosecution last January on charges of issuing a false internship certificate to the son of former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk, abruptly tendered his resignation on the 16th.

On the morning of the same day, Secretary Choi posted a message titled "Resignation Statement" on his Facebook, stating, "For the success of the Moon Jae-in administration and to protect the President, I thought that there should no longer be any burden placed on the President from inside the Blue House," expressing his intention to resign. He added, "The uprising of certain forces trying to defy the will of the candlelight citizens has reached a point where no one, including the President, knows how far they will stab the knife," raising his voice that "this is something that cannot be tolerated."

Secretary Choi criticized the prosecution's indictment against him as a "rush indictment," revealing his feelings of injustice by saying, "I tried to fulfill my duties as best as I could, but ultimately I am facing a criminal trial." He also stated, "Even when confronted with a persistent conspiracy to somehow turn back the wheels of history, I cannot turn a blind eye from the sidelines," adding, "I will not forget the excitement and determination I had when entering the Yeonpungmun Gate of the Blue House, and I intend to leave that gate and step out into the world again."

Some speculate cautiously that Secretary Choi may run as a proportional representative candidate for the Open Democratic Party in next month's general election. Coincidentally, this day is the deadline for resignation from public office to run as a proportional representative (30 days before the election). The application deadline for proportional candidates of the Open Democratic Party is 6 p.m. today.

It is reported that Secretary Choi has not specifically disclosed his plans regarding his future steps to the Blue House. A Blue House official explained the background of Secretary Choi's resignation by saying, "Since the trial schedule has been set, it is understood that he intends to focus on preparations related to it."