Yoon: "No Establishment of Science Education Chief"... Ahn: "Will Keep Discussing"

An, reserved about running for Seongnam Bundang Gap
Jang Je-won: "Did not open for 'Presidential Office Slimming' pledge"... "But can open if public demands"

Ahn Cheol-soo, Chairman of the Presidential Transition Committee, is arriving at the transition office in Tongui-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul on the morning of the 29th. Photo by the Transition Committee Press Corps

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Se-eun] As the Yoon Suk-yeol administration decided not to appoint a Senior Secretary for Science Education within the Presidential Office, Ahn Cheol-soo, chairman of the Presidential Transition Committee, stated that he will continue to request the establishment of the position.

On the afternoon of the 1st, Chairman Ahn said, "Since the Yoon Suk-yeol transition team acknowledges the necessity of having a Senior Secretary for Science Education, I will keep raising the issue."

The Senior Secretary for Science Education was a position that Chairman Ahn earnestly requested President-elect Yoon to create.

He explained, "From what I heard, the current Presidential Office has only about 150 seats," adding, "They are likely renovating the Ministry of National Defense building to accommodate more people."

He continued, "If that happens, the Blue House organization will expand, and I think organizational divisions will be created in areas where they are needed."

However, Chairman Ahn was reserved about the possibility of running in the upcoming local elections for Seongnam Bundang Gap district. He said, "I am in charge of announcing the entire national agenda on the 3rd," and added, "That alone is enough to make my head explode," avoiding further comment.

Earlier, the Yoon Suk-yeol administration decided not to establish the Senior Secretary for Science Education position to fulfill the campaign promise of 'streamlining the Presidential Office.'

On the same day, Jang Je-won, chief secretary to the President-elect, announced the personnel appointments for the Presidential Office's two offices (Secretariat and National Security Office) and five senior secretaries (Economy, Society, Political Affairs, Public Relations, and Civil Society), explaining, "We are not unaware of the importance of science and education, but this is not the time to create a separate position for Senior Secretary for Science Education."

Jang also stated, "There have been continuous demands to create various presidential advisory bodies, but the Yoon Suk-yeol administration wants to build a humble Presidential Office," adding, "The number of positions in the Presidential Office can be adjusted as needed. If public demand for a Senior Secretary for Science and Technology increases, we will consider establishing the position."