[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] Jang Je-won, a member of the People Power Party and chief of staff to President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol, stated on the 6th that "discussions are underway to reduce the size of the Blue House organization compared to before."
Chief Jang said this in response to reporters' questions in front of the transition team's office in Tongui-dong, Seoul, asking, "Are you reviewing the name of the Presidential Senior Secretary's Office?" He replied, "We are also giving a lot of thought to the reorganization of the Blue House. Please give us some time."
Regarding whether to abolish the Blue House Policy Office Chief, Chief Jang explained, "Yesterday, I did not say 'a Policy Office Chief will be needed' during the Q&A with the press, but rather that a policy division is necessary."
The transition team is reportedly considering plans to abolish the Blue House Policy Office Chief, the Senior Secretary for Jobs, and the Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs, thereby downsizing the Blue House organization.
When reporters asked if the functions of the Blue House Policy Office might be replaced by a public-private joint committee, he said, "The public-private joint committee will be separate (from the Policy Office)." He added, "Currently, under the organizational structure, the Policy Office Chief oversees the Senior Secretary for Economy and the Senior Secretary for Social Affairs," and explained, "When asked if there is a policy division, I naturally said yes, and the public-private joint committee will be separate (from the Policy Office)."
Regarding reports that some cabinet members, including the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance, have been selected, Chief Jang said, "Nothing has been finalized. The verification process is too slow." On the timing of the announcement for the Deputy Prime Minister appointment, he said, "The selection will be made once the verification reports arrive. None of the verification reports for the Deputy Prime Minister candidates have come yet," and questioned, "Won't the selection be made only after all four candidates, grouped as the economic team, have been verified?"
Chief Jang also explained that, in addition to the 36 billion won approved at the Cabinet meeting on the same day regarding the plan to relocate the presidential office, additional contingency funds will be secured.
He said, "Besides the contingency funds approved this time, it was discussed (with the Blue House) to secure additional funds," and added, "Regarding the additional contingency funds, realistically, they will be well prepared and will follow the current process with cooperation, which is the Blue House's position." Chief Jang is communicating with Lee Cheol-hee, Senior Secretary for Political Affairs at the Blue House, regarding cooperation for the presidential office relocation.
Regarding whether it will be possible to start work at the new office on May 10, the inauguration day of the new government, he said, "I will brief you after experts report on the realistic prospects," and added, "If the moving schedule proceeds quickly, I will listen to opinions on whether it can be done within 40 days." He also said, "Once the contingency funds are released, the relocation of the presidential office will start immediately, and it will go well."
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