Yoon "Some May Leave Starting Next Week"... Cabinet Reshuffle Officially Announced

Yoon Mentions at Closed Cabinet Meeting
Likely to Replace Around 10 Minister-Level Officials

President Yoon Suk-yeol officially announced on the 28th that a large-scale cabinet reshuffle will take place starting next week.

According to the Blue House, President Yoon mentioned during a closed Cabinet meeting on the morning of the same day, "There will likely be some people leaving starting next week."

President Yoon reportedly said, "As president, it is more comfortable and efficient to continue working together, but I cannot ignore the party's requests. Since the party is requesting capable people to run, please do not feel hurt."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Until now, political circles have speculated that a major cabinet reshuffle would naturally occur as presidential aides leave to run in the April general elections next year. However, this is the first time President Yoon has announced the timing of the reshuffle.

It is expected that announcements of personnel changes will continue from next week. President Yoon also asked those remaining in the government to finish their work well by the end of the year, and requested those leaving to do their best in their duties until their successors pass the confirmation hearings.

Among the 19 government ministries, a large-scale reshuffle replacing ministers in about 10 ministries is expected to proceed sequentially. Currently, the Ministry of Economy and Finance, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Science and ICT, and Ministry of SMEs and Startups are mentioned as targets for the reshuffle.

On the same day, at an on-site meeting, Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Won Hee-ryong told reporters, "The president, who holds the authority over personnel, directly said that the reshuffle is imminent. If the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport is included, I will fulfill my responsibilities and do my best."

Among the senior secretaries in the Blue House, five are mentioned as targets for replacement, excluding Lee Kwan-seop, the Chief Secretary for National Policy Planning.