- Senior Policy Planning Officer Candidate 'Lee Gwansub, Full-time Vice Chairman of Korea International Trade Association'... Kim Eunhye Expected to Join
- "Policy communication issues, smooth communication and understanding... The premise of slimming down the Presidential Office remains unchanged"
[Asia Economy Reporter Baek Kyunghwan] President Yoon Seok-yeol is set to reorganize the presidential office by establishing a new Senior Secretary for Policy Planning. This move aims to strengthen policy communication functions among the public, the Cabinet, and the presidential office within the current '2 Offices (Presidential Secretariat and National Security Office) and 5 Senior Secretaries (Political, Economic, Civil Society, Social, and Public Relations)' system. The possibility of expanding to a '3 Offices and 7 Senior Secretaries' system, which had been speculated in some quarters, is low. Changes to the presidential office's public relations line are also planned.
Kim Dae-gi, Chief Secretary of the Presidential Office, stated at a briefing at the Yongsan Presidential Office on the afternoon of the 18th, "There have been talks in the media about 3 Offices and 7 Senior Secretaries, but nothing has been finalized yet. For now, we are proceeding with the plan to first establish the Senior Secretary for Policy Planning."
Regarding the background for creating the new 'Senior Secretary for Policy Planning,' Chief Secretary Kim revealed, "There were some communication issues related to livelihood and policy agendas, so we thought it necessary to facilitate smooth communication and understanding among the public, the Cabinet, and the presidential office going forward." He added, "An organization is like a living organism. If other needs arise, we will reorganize accordingly."
Concerning the mention of Lee Gwan-seop, Vice Chairman of the Korea International Trade Association, as a candidate for the Senior Secretary for Policy Planning, he explained, "Vice Chairman Lee is a strong candidate. We are currently reorganizing and scouting many talented individuals."
On the difference between the Senior Secretary for Policy and the Senior Secretary for Policy Planning, he said, "The Senior Secretary for Policy oversees organizations such as the Economic Senior Secretary and Social Senior Secretary and has a comprehensive role. The Senior Secretary for Policy Planning, however, focuses horizontally on areas that do not function well in the executive branch or on national tasks and goals that need to be realized, so the role differs from that of the Senior Secretary for Policy."
Thus, the current '2 Offices and 5 Senior Secretaries' system is likely to shift to a '2 Offices and 6 Senior Secretaries' system. Regarding the separately raised possibility of establishing a 'Director of Planning and Management Office,' he added, "That has not been finalized yet."
The Policy Coordination Officer, who was responsible for policy coordination within the presidential office, will focus on the bid for the 2030 Busan World Expo. When asked by reporters about the future role of Jang Sung-min, the Policy Coordination Officer, Chief Secretary Kim said, "The officer will focus on the Busan Expo bid going forward. It is a major national issue."
The new Senior Secretary for Public Relations is expected to be announced separately on the 21st. When asked about the verification process, Chief Secretary Kim refrained from detailed comments, saying, "We will announce it on Sunday (the 21st)," but it is known that former lawmaker Kim Eun-hye has been effectively nominated for the new Senior Secretary for Public Relations.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
