The Return of Shin Hyun-soo, Leaving Position Decision to President Moon... What Does Cheong Wa Dae's 'Resolution' Mean? (Comprehensive)

Cheong "Since we left the decision to them, let's clearly put it to rest"... Conflict exposed by prosecution personnel changes, healing the wounds is another challenge

[Asia Economy reporters Ryu Jeong-min and Lee Ji-eun] "Since President Moon Jae-in has been entrusted with the decision on Shin Hyun-soo's position, it is definitely settled for now." A senior Blue House official said this on the afternoon of the 22nd when meeting with reporters regarding the controversy surrounding Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs Shin Hyun-soo's position. Contrary to speculation that Shin, who returned to the Blue House after his vacation, had decided to resign, he conveyed a message that he would do his best in his duties.

Jung Man-ho, Senior Secretary for Public Communication at the Blue House, stated, "Today, Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs Shin Hyun-soo entrusted his position to President Moon Jae-in and said he would do his best to perform his duties," adding, "He attended the morning tea time with the president and key aides and is scheduled to attend the 2 p.m. senior secretaries and aides meeting."

The key keywords in the Blue House's statement regarding Shin's position were 'entrusting the decision' and 'settlement.' First, the meaning of settlement refers to the resolution of the previously unclear situation regarding Shin's return to work. It means the situation where Shin repeatedly expressed his intention to resign and President Moon rejected it has changed. It is known that various persuasion efforts and advice took place while Shin was on vacation.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Formally, the decision-making process by President Moon remains. A senior Blue House official said, "The president still has time to make a decision," but added, "I cannot say what decision will be made or when." This statement allows for various possible outcomes regarding the position issue. However, it more strongly implies that as a Blue House aide, they will not preemptively conclude what the president will decide.

The senior Blue House official's explanation that it is "definitely settled" is in this context. It indicates a different flow from the situation where controversy over Shin's position was intensifying. President Moon's choices are broadly twofold: to keep Shin and continue his role or to proceed with a replacement at an appropriate time.

Since the Blue House even used the term 'settlement,' it is unlikely that the focus will quickly shift toward replacement. If President Moon decides to keep Shin, efforts to strengthen his role are expected to proceed simultaneously. Shin, as the first former prosecutor to serve as Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs in the Moon Jae-in administration's Blue House, was noted for his 'bridge role' to ease tensions between the ruling party and the prosecution.

Minister of Justice Park Beom-gye attended the plenary meeting of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee held at the National Assembly on the 18th, touching his head. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

However, his role's limitations were exposed when his views were not reflected in the high-level prosecution personnel appointments. For Shin to perform his normal duties as Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs, a process to restore his diminished status is necessary.

Contrary to the Blue House's claim of settlement, analysis remains that the controversy's spark will not easily die out. The emergence of additional allegations that have embarrassed the ruling party amid the intensifying issue of Shin's position is also noteworthy. A representative allegation is that Shin reportedly conveyed a message to a legal acquaintance that he would never meet Minister Park in his lifetime. The Blue House has not provided a clear explanation regarding this matter.

However, the Blue House has drawn a line by stating that allegations that Shin requested an inspection of Minister Park and that high-level prosecution personnel appointments were announced without presidential approval are "not true."