'Yun Hae-gwan' Jang Je-won Reveals 'What Is President Yoon's Greatest Strength?'

In an interview with International Newspaper, "Yoon's strengths are his desire for talent and communication skills"
"If experience in state administration accumulates and the general election is won, a groundbreaking appointment may follow"

Jang Je-won, a member of the People Power Party (incoming President's Chief of Staff), is announcing the restructured presidential office appointments at the Presidential Transition Committee in Tongui-dong, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 1st. Photo by Transition Committee Press Corps

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Yunjin] Jang Je-won, a member of the People Power Party and a key figure in the 'Yunhaekgwan' faction, praised President Yoon in an interview with the International Newspaper on the 10th, saying, "President Yoon is very eager for talented people and has excellent communication skills." Regarding the controversy over cabinet appointments, he said, "I bear the greatest responsibility," and predicted, "If we gain a majority in the next general election, there could be groundbreaking appointments." Jang served as the head of the comprehensive situation room during Yoon Seok-yeol's presidential campaign and was chief of staff during the president-elect period, playing a key role in shaping the new government.

In the interview, Jang said, "President Yoon constantly seeks and receives recommendations to find talented individuals who will work with his administration." Regarding the president's communication skills, he evaluated, "He goes directly to the people to see and hear for himself, to the extent that even his security detail is taken aback. If this mindset remains unchanged, I believe he will become a very successful president."

Addressing criticism that "there was a lack of communication during the process of relocating the presidential office," he explained, "The president has an obsession with keeping promises. He personally explained to reporters as part of his effort to keep his promises. Initially, he reported that he would stay for just one more year before moving. However, the president obsessively thought, 'Is this really possible after one year?' and 'Once we move in, we can't come out,' and decided, 'We will move this time.'"

When asked about the question, "There have been issues raised regarding the selection of the first cabinet candidates," Jang said, "I bear the greatest responsibility." He bowed his head, saying, "We formed a verification team and did our best to vet candidates more thoroughly than any previous administration, but I apologize to the public for not being able to identify what has now come to light." He then refuted criticism that the cabinet appointments were based on close aides by stating, "The only person in the cabinet whom the president personally knows is Han Dong-hoon, the nominee for Minister of Justice." He added, "The first administration focused on experience and stability. If the president governs for two years and gains a majority in the general election, groundbreaking ministerial appointments will be possible."

Regarding the so-called 'Yunhaekgwan' controversy, which alleges that he exerts influence as one of President Yoon's closest aides, Jang said, "I accepted the role of chief of staff for the president-elect because we had to create a completely new government and presidential office within two months, and I willingly agreed to help at the president's suggestion. For the time being, I will not issue political messages and will do my best as a member of the National Assembly. I want to be free from the controversy over being a close aide. If unofficial aides without official positions cloud the president's eyes and ears, the government will begin to be ignored by the public."