Yoon Unusually Announces Appointment Personally
Jung Jin-seok: "I Will Support the Politics of Unity, Even If Only Slightly"
President Yoon Suk-yeol announced on the 22nd that he has appointed Jeong Jin-seok, a member of the People Power Party, as the new Chief of Staff to the President.
On the morning of the same day, President Yoon held a briefing at the Yongsan Presidential Office briefing room to announce the appointment of the new Chief of Staff in person. This is the first time since the national address on November 29 last year regarding the failure to host the Expo that President Yoon has made an announcement directly in front of reporters. Even during the national address on the 1st of this month concerning medical reform and the expansion of medical schools, the statement was released without the presence of reporters.
President Yoon went up to the podium together with Chief Jeong and introduced him personally. President Yoon said, "He began his social career as a journalist and worked for 15 years as a reporter at Hankook Ilbo, mainly covering the political department and the National Assembly, and also served as a Washington correspondent and editorial writer. He entered the 16th National Assembly in 2000 and served as a five-term lawmaker. He also held positions such as Senior Secretary for Political Affairs at the Blue House, emergency committee chairman and election campaign committee chairman in the party, as well as Deputy Speaker and Secretary-General of the National Assembly."
He continued, "I believe you all know well that he maintains very amicable relationships across party lines in our country's political circles. Therefore, I understand that as Chief of Staff, he will perform his duties well by facilitating smooth communication not only with the Yongsan staff but also with the Cabinet, ruling party, opposition parties, the media, and civil society."
President Yoon Suk-yeol is personally introducing Jeong Jin-seok, the new Chief of Staff to the President, at the Yongsan Presidential Office building in Seoul on the 22nd. [Image source=Yonhap News]
Chief Jeong said, "The responsibility feels very heavy. It has not been long since the election ended, and I am actually exhausted. I am concerned about the current situation of a minority government and anticipate disorder. I felt it was my duty to assist the Yoon Suk-yeol administration and support President Yoon during this difficult time," explaining his reasons for accepting the position.
He added, "I was the person who encouraged President Yoon to enter politics and contributed in my own way to the launch of the Yoon Suk-yeol government. I believe that overcoming difficulties together with the President is fulfilling my responsibility. The words President Yoon just spoke must mean that he intends to pursue politics of convergence going forward. I will do my best to assist him, however modestly, in fostering more communication, convergence, and unity in politics," he pledged.
Furthermore, he said, "In the past, Jeong Do-jeon of Sambong said, 'While governing the country, one cannot deceive the people with cunning nor suppress them by force.' Even 600 years ago during the dynasty era, the people's perspective was like that. Now we live in a republic. I will strive to speak to the President from an objective viewpoint based on the people's perspective," he promised.
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