"Jang Je-won, a Good Candidate for Chief Secretary"
President Yoon Suk-yeol promised a government overhaul, but confusion has emerged during the appointment process. Kwon Young-se, a five-term People Power Party lawmaker elected in Yongsan, Seoul, stated, "It is not easy to find a chief of staff who can work across both ruling and opposition parties."
Kwon, a pro-Yoon (pro-Yoon Suk-yeol) faction member, appeared on CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show' on the 19th and said, "Appointments are truly difficult," adding, "The president seems to be asking around and contemplating to find the most suitable person."
Kwon Young-se, a member of the People Power Party, is attending a meeting of senior lawmakers elected for four or more terms held at the National Assembly floor leader's office on the 15th. Photo by Yonhap News
Kwon said, "There are people who say, 'I met someone and recommended a certain person,'" and added, "Those individuals appear in the media, leading to criticism that there is confusion and disorder, but the fact that they are searching broadly should be viewed positively."
When asked by the host if he had ever been offered the prime minister position, Kwon flatly replied, "No." He said, "Some opposition lawmakers misunderstood my denial as if I waved my hands and ran away, but I have never been asked to take the prime minister role."
He continued, "In fact, the prime minister and chief of staff appointments should be considered separately. The new prime minister has to work with the new National Assembly," and pointed out, "It is problematic for the next prime minister to be confirmed through hearings with the 21st National Assembly, so it is highly likely that confirmation will be obtained after May 30. I think that is the right approach."
Regarding the mention of Jang Je-won, a People Power Party lawmaker, as a candidate for the next chief of staff, he evaluated, "Although Representative Jang is very aggressive, he has good interpersonal relationships. He clashed a lot with our president but later became very close and a key aide. He is one of several good candidates."
On the so-called 'Park Young-sun prime minister - Yang Jeong-cheol chief of staff appointment rumor' and the ensuing unofficial influence controversy caused by conflicting remarks from presidential office aides, he explained, "It is true that the appointments appear chaotic, but from what I hear outside, it seems like confusion rather than the existence of an unofficial influence line."
Regarding the sharp drop in President Yoon Suk-yeol's approval rating, he said, "I believe the disappointing results in this election directly reflected the public's dissatisfaction," and noted, "Because of the situation, aspects that could be evaluated positively are also being viewed negatively."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
