Cheong Wa Dae Secretary General Yoo Young-min... Laying the Foundation for Economic Rebound in the New Year (Comprehensive)

[Asia Economy reporters Ryu Jeong-min and Son Seon-hee] The appointment of former Minister of Science and ICT Yoo Young-min, an entrepreneur, as President Moon Jae-in's 'last Chief of Staff' is related to the blueprint for national governance in 2021.

The role of the Blue House Chief of Staff is political, but this appointment emphasizes practical policy implementation rather than communication with the National Assembly. Traditionally, the last Chief of Staff of the Blue House is responsible for navigating the presidential election and overseeing the 'transfer of power' to the new administration. This background has led to the appointment of individuals with strong political acumen and deep trust from the president.

Contrary to this trend, former Minister Yoo, although he ran as a Democratic Party candidate in the Busan Haeundae Gap district in the 20th and 21st general elections, is classified as an entrepreneur and seems somewhat distant from political sensibility.

Yoo Young-min (right), Minister of Science and ICT, and Ha Hyun-hoe, Vice Chairman of LG Uplus, are shaking hands at the '1st 5G Plus Strategy Committee' held on June 19 last year at the Federation of Korean Industries building in Yeouido, Seoul. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

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He is part of the so-called 'The Avengers' who entered politics through talent recruitment when President Moon was the leader of the Democratic Party in January 2016. The person who led Yoo's entry into the party was current Senior Secretary for Political Affairs Choi Jae-sung (then General Affairs Headquarters Chief).

While his political experience and political sensibility may be less than those of senior ruling party politicians, his economic expertise, including the 'Digital New Deal' emphasized by President Moon, is far superior. As a result, Yoo's appointment is interpreted as a strategic move to entrust political and political matters to existing aides such as Senior Secretary for Political Affairs Choi Jae-sung and Senior Secretary for Public Communication Jeong Man-ho, while laying the foundation for economic resurgence in 2021 centered on the Chief of Staff.

It also implies that, to revive the Korean economy hit by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), not only the government but also the Blue House needs a response with the character of an 'economic emergency team.'

Former Minister Yoo is expected to visit the Blue House Chunghwagan with Chief of Staff Noh Young-min in the afternoon to conduct the inauguration and retirement greetings. This follows the customary practice for Blue House chief-level personnel. When former Chief of Staff Lim Jong-seok was replaced, the outgoing person introduced the successor directly, facilitating a 'baton touch.'

The Blue House's third-term system is expected to launch anew centered on former Minister Yoo, with the direction and content of the economic line reshuffle also drawing attention.

It is also noteworthy that the reshuffle of Blue House aides occurred faster than expected. A senior Blue House official explained on the 30th regarding Chief of Staff Noh's resignation, "(President Moon) is expected to listen to various opinions and deliberate on the repair issue and the successor issue during the holidays."

However, contrary to this statement, the successor appointment was made quickly. It appears that the president judged it advantageous to conclude personnel matters to plan the new year's political situation from a blank slate ahead of 2021.

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