Presidential Office Accelerates Restructuring... 'Livelihood' Kim Dae-gi and 'Reform' Lee Gwan-seop Lead Dual-Top System

President Yoon's Major Overseas Trips Conclude
Kim Dae-gi and Lee Gwan-seop Focus on Reform and Livelihood Initiatives
Chief Lee Gwan-seop Coordinates Policies Amid 5-Secretary Reshuffle

The Presidential Office is accelerating its restructuring and cabinet reshuffle efforts to launch the second-term system.With key aides having completed the National Assembly audit of the Presidential Office and the general election just over five months away, the work is being carried out in coordination with both the Presidential Office and the cabinet reshuffle.The Presidential Office plans to focus the second-term system on three major reforms (labor, education, and pensions) and public welfare, and the outline of personnel changes is expected to emerge once President Yoon Seok-yeol’s major overseas trips conclude.

On the 8th, a senior official from the Presidential Office stated, "At the point when the political situation shifts to preparing for the general election, changes in the Presidential Office are naturally inevitable," adding, "(President Yoon) also expects his aides to demonstrate their capabilities in new roles for the government and the people." The official cited reforms and public welfare as the core tasks of the second-term system. Although the 'general election' results will be a significant variable in the tone and pace of state administration, the success or failure of the Yoon administration will inevitably hinge on stable economic management amid the third year of the administration’s three major reforms and domestic and international uncertainties.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The second-term system is expected to be led by the Presidential Office’s 'two top' officials: Chief of Staff Kim Dae-gi and Senior Secretary for National Planning Lee Gwan-seop. Both enjoy strong trust from President Yoon and are regarded as tailored personnel for managing public welfare and reforms, respectively. In particular, following the defeat in the Gangseo District Office election, Chief Kim has been focusing intensively on the field and aides in response to President Yoon’s directive on public welfare management. It is reported that immediately after President Yoon’s directive, Chief Kim held a meeting with ten young administrative officers in their 30s at the Yongsan Presidential Office to gather opinions related to state affairs.

He also attended policy meetings closely related to public welfare. He participated in the 'Listening to Small Business Difficulties Meeting' organized by the Federation of Small Businesses, discussing loan difficulties and customized education with heads of small business sector organizations. He also attended the 'Science and Technology Field Communication Meeting' hosted by the Korea Federation of Science and Technology Societies (KOFST), where he met young scientists and technologists. Amid backlash and concerns from the scientific community over the significant budget cuts for R&D (Research and Development) projects in next year’s government budget, Chief Kim took steps to ease tensions.

Detailed state affairs such as the three major reforms are expected to be further consolidated under Senior Secretary Lee’s jurisdiction. Known for his excellent political acumen, Lee’s role in coordinating between the Presidential Office, the ruling party, and related ministries has become increasingly necessary, according to insiders. Notably, President Yoon has directly instructed Lee to oversee labor reform. Lee has reportedly expressed his determination several times recently, stating that "even if it costs votes, we must boldly challenge the three reforms." Furthermore, Lee is expected to support the five senior secretaries who will be replaced in the Presidential Office, assisting coordination between each senior secretary and related ministries.

The current five senior secretaries’ movements are also noteworthy. Except for Lee, all other five senior secretaries are expected to be replaced. Chief Economic Secretary Choi Sang-mok is likely to move to the position of Deputy Prime Minister for Economy and Minister of Economy and Finance. Senior Secretary for Civil Society Kang Seung-gyu, Senior Secretary for Public Relations Kim Eun-hye, and Senior Secretary for Social Affairs Ahn Sang-hoon are expected to leave the Presidential Office as early as this month or by next month at the latest to run in the general election scheduled for April next year. Senior Secretary for Political Affairs Lee Jin-bok is rumored to be considered for the next chairman of the Korea Exchange instead of running in the election.

Successor personnel for each senior secretary’s office are also being coordinated. Kim So-young, Vice Chairman of the Financial Services Commission, is mentioned as a successor to Chief Secretary Choi Sang-mok, and former Army Academy Superintendent Kim Jeong-su is mentioned as a successor to Senior Secretary Kang Seung-gyu. Han Oh-seop, Director of the National Situation Room, is likely to succeed Senior Secretary Lee Jin-bok, and Lee Do-woon, Presidential Office spokesperson, is likely to succeed Senior Secretary Kim Eun-hye, indicating internal promotions within the Presidential Office.

Chief Secretary Kim Dae-gi (left) and Senior Secretary for National Policy Planning Lee Gwan-seop

In line with this, a cabinet reshuffle is also expected to follow naturally. In addition to current lawmaker Choo Kyung-ho, Deputy Prime Minister for Economy and Minister of Economy and Finance (Daegu Dalseong-gun), Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs Park Min-sik is reportedly considering the timing of his resignation to run in the general election. Within the ruling party, former Cheonan ship captain Choi Won-il is mentioned as a successor to Minister Park. Choi was the captain during the Cheonan ship sinking incident and has been active in restoring the honor of the soldiers.

Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Won Hee-ryong, Minister of Oceans and Fisheries Cho Seung-hwan, and Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Jeong Hwang-geun are also potential candidates for running in the general election. The possibility of replacing Minister of Science and ICT Lee Jong-ho, who was reportedly reprimanded by President Yoon regarding the reallocation of R&D budgets, is also continuously mentioned.

There are ongoing rumors about Minister of Justice Han Dong-hoon running in the general election. However, Minister Han, attending the full session of the National Assembly Budget and Accounts Committee the day before, responded to questions about his possible candidacy by saying, "It is a question you can always ask, but my answer remains the same." Earlier, at the National Assembly Legislation and Judiciary Committee’s audit on the 26th of last month, he replied to related inquiries, "The general election is important to many, but it is not everything in life for all citizens. The same applies to me." Regarding Minister of Foreign Affairs Park Jin, it is analyzed that he may remain in office as he is preparing for important diplomatic issues such as President Yoon’s overseas trips at the end of the year and beginning of the next, the Korea-China summit, and the second Korea-US-Japan summit.

[Image source=Yonhap News]