Cabinet Reshuffle and Reorganization Become Visible After Temporary Cabinet Meeting on the 1st
Sequential Replacement of Cabinet and Wholesale Replacement of Presidential Office Planned
Major Moves in Over 10 Ministries and 5 Senior Secretaries of Presidential Office
Choe Sang-mok, Economic Secretary, Virtually Appointed as Prime Minister from Ministry of Economy and Finance
The reorganization of the Presidential Office and the cabinet reshuffle are expected to intensify as early as this weekend, following the anticipated interim Cabinet meeting on the 1st of next month. President Yoon Suk-yeol plans to exercise his veto power on the 'Yellow Envelope Act (Amendment to the Labor Union and Labor Relations Adjustment Act)' and the 'Broadcasting Three Acts (Amendments to the Broadcasting Act, the Korea Broadcasting Culture Promotion Agency Act, and the Korea Educational Broadcasting System Act),' after which movements among aides and cabinet members are expected to begin.
According to political circles on the 29th, a large-scale personnel reshuffle of the Presidential Office staff and a substantial cabinet reshuffle will continue as early as this weekend. A senior official from the Presidential Office stated, "With the President’s major domestic and international schedules concluded, it is now time to review national agendas with new aides and cabinet members and select key tasks for the next year," adding, "Specific actions will only be possible after the President’s decision on the bills (Yellow Envelope Act and Broadcasting Three Acts) is finalized."
The two bills were not submitted at the Cabinet meeting the previous day. This was due to the approaching deadline for the approval of next year’s budget and the concurrent issue of selecting the host city for the 2030 World Expo. However, with only a few days left before the deadline and the Expo issue resolved, it is interpreted that the government plans to shift the political landscape through reorganization and reshuffling.
Within the Presidential Office, it is considered easier to replace the cabinet members 'sequentially' and the Presidential Office staff 'all at once.' Since a large-scale reshuffle is planned involving the replacement of about 10 ministers out of 19 ministries, the cabinet must be replaced sequentially to minimize gaps in managing public welfare and advancing national agendas. Another senior official added, "In the case of the Presidential Office, except for aides moving to ministries, it is highly likely that replacements will occur at one point in time."
President Yoon also hinted at personnel changes during a closed session of the Cabinet meeting the previous day, saying, "There will likely be people leaving starting next week," and added, "As President, it is more comfortable and efficient to continue working with the same people, but I cannot ignore the party’s requests." This is effectively the first time President Yoon has directly mentioned the timing of personnel changes, considering the general election scheduled for April next year.
The government ministries currently mentioned as targets for ministerial replacement include 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, Ministry of SMEs and Startups, Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, and Ministry of Employment and Labor. For the successor to Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance Choo Kyung-ho, who is a current member of the National Assembly, Choi Sang-mok, the Presidential Office’s Senior Secretary for Economic Affairs, is considered a strong candidate. For the successor to Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Won Hee-ryong, Shim Kyo-eon, head of the Korea Research Institute for Human Settlements and leader of the real estate task force during President Yoon’s transition period, is mentioned. Additionally, Lee Yong-hoon, president of Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology, is being considered as a candidate for the successor to Minister of Science and ICT Lee Jong-ho. Instead of Kim So-young, the Vice Chairman of the Financial Services Commission who was previously a candidate for replacement of the Chairman, Son Byung-doo, chairman of the Korea Exchange, is now a leading candidate. It is reported that Kim’s ability and likelihood of passing the confirmation hearing have been questioned, making it difficult for her to be appointed as the next chairman.
For the successor to Minister of Foreign Affairs Park Jin, candidates include former Foreign Ministry International Security Ambassador Lee Jung-min and Foreign Ministry North Korean Human Rights and International Cooperation Ambassador Lee Shin-hwa. For the position of Minister of Justice Han Dong-hoon, whose candidacy for the general election is drawing attention, former Seoul High Prosecutors’ Office chiefs Park Sung-jae (17th Judicial Research and Training Institute class) and Gil Tae-gi (15th class) are reportedly candidates. For the successor to Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs Park Min-sik, former Army Deputy Chief of Staff Koo Hong-mo and Yoon Joo-kyung, granddaughter of independence activist Yoon Bong-gil and member of the People Power Party, are mentioned.
Within the Presidential Office, five out of six senior secretaries are expected to be replaced. Han Oh-seop, current Director of the National Situation Room, is a strong candidate for the new Senior Secretary for Political Affairs; Lee Do-woon, current spokesperson, for Senior Secretary for Public Relations; Hwang Sang-moo, former KBS anchor, for Senior Secretary for Civil Society; Park Chun-seop, a member of the Bank of Korea’s Monetary Policy Committee, for Senior Secretary for Economic Affairs; and for Senior Secretary for Social Affairs, candidates under strong consideration include Deputy Minister of Education Jang Sang-yoon and First Deputy Minister of Health and Welfare Lee Ki-il. There is also consideration to elevate the Science and Technology Secretary Office under the Economic Secretary Office to a 'senior secretary' level. Candidates for Senior Secretary for Science and Technology include former Kwangwoon University President Yoo Ji-sang and Kang Do-hyun, Director of the Information and Communication Policy Bureau at the Ministry of Science and ICT.
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