Opposition Reacts to Appointment of Jeong Jin-seok as Presidential Chief of Staff: "An Appointment Ignoring the People's Mandate"

Regarding President Yoon Suk-yeol's decision on the 22nd to appoint Jeong Jin-seok, a member of the People Power Party, as the new Chief Secretary of the Presidential Office, the opposition parties harshly criticized it as an "appointment ignoring the people's mandate."

Han Min-su, spokesperson for the Democratic Party, said on the same day about Jeong's appointment, "The appointment of the Chief Secretary is very disappointing as it ignores the people's mandate to change the uncommunicative governance."

Spokesperson Han added, "Chief Secretary Jeong is a key pro-Yoon figure and one of the main reasons the People Power Party has turned the Yongsan Presidential Office into a mere rubber stamp," and criticized, "Does President Yoon have no one to use except the pro-Yoon faction?"

He also raised concerns about qualifications. Han said, "The Chief Secretary is a figure who was voted out after being named the worst candidate by civic groups for pro-Japanese remarks," and pointed out, "Jeong, who holds a distorted view of history and perception, is a person who will trigger political strife instead of cooperation."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

He stated, "Chief Secretary Jeong was sentenced to prison for defamation of the late former President Roh Moo-hyun, and he has repeatedly hurled harsh words and criticism at the leader of the main opposition party," adding, "Moreover, it is hard to list all the harsh remarks he made regarding the Sewol ferry disaster and the Itaewon tragedy. He is completely out of touch with the people's standards. Rather, he is an appointment that significantly falls short of the people's expectations."

Han said, "The people judged the Yoon Suk-yeol administration just over ten days ago to change the government’s direction," and added, "The public will not accept today's appointment. If this is an appointment made solely to maintain influence over the ruling party as before, the people will judge that a mere scolding is not enough."

The Justice Innovation Party also criticized the appointment. Kim Bo-hyeop, spokesperson for the Justice Innovation Party, mentioned Jeong’s prison sentence for defamation of former President Roh Moo-hyun and said, "Without acknowledging his mistakes, it is inappropriate for him to sit down and have a dialogue not only with the Democratic Party but also with the Justice Innovation Party." Kim advised, "To President Yoon, who is quite distant from public sentiment, please find someone who can accurately convey the true public sentiment and help reflect that sentiment in state governance."