New Chief of Policy Office, Lee Gwansub Appointed as President's Office Chief of National Planning
The Presidential Office is considering the establishment of a new position called 'Chief of Policy Office.' If confirmed, Lee Gwan-seop, the Senior Secretary for National Planning at the Presidential Office, is expected to take on the new Chief of Policy Office role.
According to the ruling party on the 29th, the Presidential Office plans to announce an organizational restructuring plan and personnel appointments including this change early next week. If the Chief of Policy Office position is created, the Presidential Office will shift from the current two-chief system?Chief of Staff and National Security Chief?to a three-chief system comprising Chief of Staff, Chief of Policy Office, and National Security Chief. The senior secretary position under review is also expected to be overseen by the Chief of Policy Office. Currently, the Chief of Staff, who handles political affairs and policy, will focus on political affairs, personnel, and public relations.
The Chief of Policy Office holds a higher rank than senior secretaries. If the Chief of Policy Office takes the lead, there is a strong possibility that the implementation of national agenda tasks will gain momentum. It is also expected to accelerate the promotion of the three major reforms in labor, pensions, and education.
Additionally, the Presidential Office is reportedly considering not only replacing five out of six senior secretaries under the Chief of Staff but also organizational restructuring such as creating the Chief of Policy Office and Chief of Science and Technology positions. This is interpreted as an effort to strengthen the policy coordination function of the Presidential Office and actively discover various livelihood policies.
One of the reasons behind the creation of the Chief of Policy Office is the controversy caused by some government ministries announcing policies without proper prior coordination. It is also reported that Kim Dae-gi, Chief of Staff to the President, supported the establishment of the Chief of Policy Office.
Lee Gwan-seop, who is mentioned as the likely nominee for Chief of Policy Office, is from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (passed the 27th Administrative Examination) and is highly regarded for his policy coordination skills and execution ability, earning strong trust from President Yoon.
Senior secretaries are also expected to be replaced on a large scale. Kang Seung-gyu, Senior Secretary for Civil Society; Kim Eun-hye, Senior Secretary for Public Relations; and Ahn Sang-hoon, Senior Secretary for Social Affairs, are likely to run in the general elections in April next year. Choi Sang-mok, Senior Secretary for Economic Affairs, is virtually nominated as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance. Lee Jin-bok, Senior Secretary for Political Affairs, is rumored to move to public institutions such as the Korea Exchange, with a possibility of running for office as well.
Han Oh-seop, Director of the National Situation Room, is mentioned as the new Senior Secretary for Political Affairs; Lee Do-woon, Presidential Spokesperson, as Senior Secretary for Public Relations; and Hwang Sang-mu, former KBS anchor, as Senior Secretary for Civil Society. Park Chun-seop, a member of the Bank of Korea’s Monetary Policy Committee, is known to be a strong candidate for Senior Secretary for Economic Affairs. Lee Gi-il, First Vice Minister of Health and Welfare, is mentioned for Senior Secretary for Social Affairs. If the Chief of Science and Technology position is created, Yoo Ji-sang, former president of Kwangwoon University, is considered a likely appointee.
Ministerial appointments are also reportedly in the final stages. For the successors of Won Hee-ryong, Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, and Park Min-sik, Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs?both likely to run in the general elections?names such as Shim Gyo-eon, President of the Korea Research Institute for Human Settlements, and Kim Seok-ho, Professor of Sociology at Seoul National University, are being mentioned. Ministers of the Ministry of Science and ICT, Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, and Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries may also be replaced.
Han Dong-hoon, Minister of Justice, may have a delayed replacement even if he runs for office. Park Seong-jae, former Seoul High Prosecutor, is reported as a strong candidate for his successor.
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