Chief Secretary Yoo Young-min on Shin Hyun-soo Controversy: "I Express My Apologies" (Update)

Prosecutor General's Personnel Announcement Requires Presidential Approval... "Claims of Bypassing the Chief Presidential Secretary for Civil Affairs Are Mere Speculation"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy reporters Ryu Jeong-min and Lee Ji-eun] Yoo Young-min, Chief of Staff to the President, stated on the 24th at the National Assembly's Steering Committee plenary session that he apologizes regarding the controversy over the position of Shin Hyun-soo, Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs.

When Rep. Jeong Jeom-sik of the People Power Party questioned about the issue of Shin's position, Yoo said, "As Chief of Staff, following the fatigue caused last year by various conflicts between the Ministry of Justice and the prosecution, I would like to express my apologies for causing such fatigue again."

However, Yoo declined to disclose who reported the high-level prosecution personnel matters to the President, stating, "I cannot speak about the overall process that took place." This implies that specific details about who made the report cannot be revealed.

In response to Rep. Jeong Jeom-sik's question, "Did the President approve the prosecution personnel announcement beforehand?" Yoo explained, "As the Senior Secretary for Public Communication disclosed, proper approval was obtained before the personnel announcement was made to the media at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday."

Regarding the so-called controversy over bypassing the Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs, Yoo dismissed it, saying, "The complete bypassing of the Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs reported in the media is merely speculation."