Yoon, a tense 6 days leading to Hwang Sang-mu's resignation... Decision made for the general election

Considering Public Sentiment Ahead of General Election... Reluctantly Accepting Resignation
"Prolonged Controversy Over Lee Jong-seop and Hwang Sang-mu Means Ruin for the Ruling Party"

Hwang Sang-mu, Senior Secretary for Civil Society at the Presidential Office
[Photo by Yonhap News]

On the 20th, President Yoon Seok-yeol accepted the resignation of Hwang Sang-moo, Senior Secretary for Civil Society at the Presidential Office. A presidential office official indicated in a phone call with Asia Economy that "appointments at the senior secretary level are the president's decision," suggesting that the acceptance of Hwang's resignation was ultimately a decision made by President Yoon.

Initially, even when Hwang's remarks were reported and the opposition's criticism intensified, President Yoon was reportedly skeptical about whether the issue warranted voluntary resignation or dismissal. As a result, on the 16th, the plan to conclude the matter with Hwang issuing an official apology in his own name gained traction.

In his apology, Hwang stated, "From now on, I will be especially careful with my words and actions as a public official and will conduct myself with greater responsibility," clearly indicating that he had no intention of resigning voluntarily. In fact, Hwang continued his duties, including attending a meeting chaired by Lee Gwan-seop, Chief of Staff of the Presidential Office, on the 18th.

However, the atmosphere changed dramatically within two days. On the 17th, a certain emergency committee chairman said, "His remarks do not meet the public's expectations, and he should decide his own position," applying pressure for his resignation. On the 19th, he stated, "My position on the 'Lee Jong-seop and Hwang Sang-moo controversy' remains unchanged," adding, "I expressed my view that we must be sensitive to public sentiment ahead of the critical election that will determine the nation's fate," escalating the conflict into a second round of tension between Yoon and Han.

With the general election just over 20 days away, the party leadership and candidates running in the metropolitan area actively demanded Hwang's resignation, leading to President Yoon's acceptance of the resignation after deep consideration. The exact timing of Hwang's voluntary resignation is not clearly known. A ruling party official said, "In a situation where public sentiment is crucial, prolonging the Lee Jong-seop and Hwang Sang-moo controversy would mean mutual destruction for the ruling party," adding, "It is urgent to quickly resolve the conflict and focus all efforts on the general election."