In line with the slim presidential office policy... Will Ahn Cheol-soo's request for 'Science Education Chief' ultimately be ignored?

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As President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol decides not to create a Chief of Science Education position within the presidential office structure, attention is turning to how his administration will implement its science and technology pledges, including those related to the 4th Industrial Revolution.

The Yoon camp emphasizes that under the principle of a "slim presidential office," reforming ministries takes priority over creating new chief positions. However, some analysts suggest this could weaken the scientific community’s call for a strong control tower.

Concerns have also been raised that tensions may reignite between Ahn Cheol-soo, chairman of the Presidential Transition Committee, and President-elect Yoon, following the rejection of both cabinet appointments and requests to establish new chief positions.

According to the transition committee and political circles on the 27th, President-elect Yoon has set the presidential office structure to consist of "2 directors, 5 chiefs, and 1 planning officer." This reflects his intention to maintain a slim presidential office staffed by top talent.

Regarding criticisms that not creating a Chief of Science Education could lead to a lack of a control tower, many within the transition committee respond that this is not the case at all.

President-elect Yoon has been focusing on technological growth and discovering future growth engines by visiting domestic 4th Industrial Revolution sites.

He previously inspected technology development sites such as the headquarters of SK Bioscience, the developer of Korea’s first domestically produced COVID-19 vaccine, the Gwangju Advanced 3 Complex, and the Saemangeum district. He also toured the Samsung Electronics semiconductor plant in Pyeongtaek by helicopter.

On the 27th, he met with Klaus Schwab, chairman of the World Economic Forum (WEF), to explore cooperation plans for the 4th Industrial Revolution. Chairman Ahn Cheol-soo is also scheduled to meet Schwab on the 28th.

President-elect Yoon is reported to have a strong policy of minimizing the size of the presidential office while concentrating accumulated power within the ministries.

Jang Je-won, chief of staff to President-elect Yoon, said the day before that the Chief of Science Education position "will need to be discussed later" and that "(ministry) reform itself is the priority."

However, from Chairman Ahn’s perspective, the rejection of his proposal could lead to a rapid change in their political relationship.

Chairman Ahn previously stated, "I earnestly requested (the creation of the chief position) to President-elect Yoon and received a response that he would consider it."

Earlier, during the initial cabinet appointment process of the Yoon Suk-yeol government, conflicts arose when individuals recommended by Chairman Ahn were not appointed, leading to Ahn not attending the transition committee office for a day.

Since the People Power Party and the People’s Party have merged and formalized a joint government, if Chairman Ahn’s proposals are not accepted, conflicts are expected to be greater than during the previous cabinet appointment process.

During his presidential campaign, Chairman Ahn was proactive enough to propose the introduction of a Deputy Prime Minister for Science and Technology, but neither the deputy prime minister nor the minister of science and technology appointments he recommended were realized.

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