'Managed Type' Yang Jeong-cheol and Woo Yoon-geun, 'Breakthrough Type' Choi Jae-sung and Kim Hyun-mi, 'Reversal Type' Kim Dong-yeon and Yoo Eun-hye among Speculations
[Asia Economy Reporter Ryu Jeong-min] Chief of Staff to the Blue House, Noh Young-min, has withdrawn from the 'Sunjangjo (殉葬組)' ranks that were to conclude their terms alongside President Moon Jae-in. It is only a matter of timing, but the third Blue House Chief of Staff system through Noh's replacement has become a reality. The blueprint surrounding the 'post-Noh Young-min' is intertwined with President Moon's national governance plans.
Whether the next Chief of Staff will be a 'managerial type,' a 'breakthrough type,' or a 'reversal type' that changes the political framework itself depends on President Moon's judgment. A key Blue House official stated, "The timing and everything else regarding personnel decisions are matters for the president to decide."
The managerial system focuses on stability, with former Democratic Research Institute Director Yang Jeong-cheol, a close aide to President Moon, being the primary candidate. Yang is the person who introduced President Moon to politics and understands his governance philosophy best.
Although he distanced himself from public office after the Moon Jae-in administration began in May 2017, Yang took charge of the Democratic Research Institute, the Democratic Party's think tank, and was deeply involved in the 21st general election. He is seen as the right person to restore the disrupted Blue House atmosphere through 'discipline enforcement' and to take on comprehensive management functions by coordinating current issues with the party.
Former Ambassador to Russia Woo Yoon-geun, who served as floor leader of the New Politics Alliance for Democracy and as secretary-general of the National Assembly, is mentioned as a suitable figure for a managerial system mindful of relations with the opposition. He is a moderate figure without antagonism from either the Democratic Party or the opposition. If the blueprint for cooperation is emphasized, there is a possibility that Woo could be selected as the next Chief of Staff.
Additionally, a breakthrough-type Chief of Staff who drives the national governance agenda could be appointed. A representative figure is former lawmaker Choi Jae-sung, who was called the 'political security chief' during President Moon's tenure as party leader. Choi is evaluated as a person capable of directly overcoming crises based on his rich political experience and political acumen.
Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Kim Hyun-mi, who has been mentioned in every Blue House Chief of Staff personnel speculation, is also a notable candidate. She has experience assisting President Moon as Chief of Staff during his time as party leader and has proven excellent political sensibility.
If President Moon chooses Minister Kim, it could be interpreted as a message to maintain the real estate policy stance while finishing the remaining term. However, given the ongoing backlash from real estate measures, selecting Minister Kim, who is responsible for these policies, as Chief of Staff could also provoke a counterwind.
An unexpected figure beyond general predictions could also become a candidate. During the participatory government era, former Yonsei University President Kim Woo-sik was appointed as Blue House Chief of Staff. If President Moon places significance on the economy, he might turn his attention to former Deputy Prime Minister for Economy Kim Dong-yeon, who is receiving love calls from the opposition. Embracing him, who is also mentioned as a presidential candidate for the broad opposition, could lead to complex political effects.
Choosing Deputy Prime Minister for Social Affairs and Minister of Education Yoo Eun-hye would secure the symbolism of the first female presidential Chief of Staff. If Yoo becomes Chief of Staff, it would mean reappointing the 'Kim Geun-tae faction (GT faction)' following Noh Young-min. If President Moon appoints Yoo, who understands his governance philosophy well, it could be interpreted as a message to operate the government with a stable stance.
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