'Shinhyeonsu Scandal' Settled... Cheong: "President Moon Entrusted with Position Decision" (Update)

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] The situation surrounding Senior Presidential Secretary for Civil Affairs Shin Hyun-soo, who had tendered his resignation due to disagreements over prosecution personnel appointments, has been temporarily resolved. After returning from vacation, Senior Secretary Shin entrusted his position to President Moon and resumed his duties. However, the 'spark' of conflict still remains.

Jung Man-ho, Senior Secretary for Communication at the Blue House, told reporters at the Chuncheon Press Center on the afternoon of the 22nd, "Today, Senior Secretary Shin entrusted his position to President Moon and said he would 'do his best to perform his duties.'"

Senior Secretary Shin attended a tea time session in the morning and is scheduled to attend the Senior Secretary and Aide Meeting at 2 p.m.

Earlier, Senior Secretary Shin had expressed his intention to resign after showing disagreements with Minister of Justice Park Beom-gye over the appointment of prosecution executives. The reason was that the personnel list under coordination was announced without reflecting his opinions. The Blue House persuaded Senior Secretary Shin, who then took a two-day leave and, after careful consideration, returned to the Blue House.

During this process, some media outlets flooded reports suggesting that Minister Park not only 'bypassed Shin Hyun-soo' but also 'bypassed the President,' which the Blue House denied as untrue. Additionally, reports claiming that Senior Secretary Shin requested an inspection regarding the 'bypass of the President' were also refuted as groundless. A key Blue House official stated, "We confirmed from Senior Secretary Shin himself that he never proposed an inspection."

Although the matter was settled with Senior Secretary Shin entrusting his position to President Moon, the possibility of recurrence remains. A key Blue House official hinted at the possibility of Senior Secretary Shin being replaced, saying, "Senior Secretary Shin entrusted his position to the President, and the President will either continue as is or make various decisions." When asked by a reporter whether Senior Secretary Shin had withdrawn his resignation, the official replied, "He never said he withdrew his resignation," leaving room for interpretation.