Jin Jeong-seok "It Should Be the President, Not the Presidential Office Political Secretary"
Jung Jin-seok, the newly appointed Chief of Staff to the President, pointed out to the presidential office aides on the 24th that "it is not desirable for messages to be sporadically released externally under the name of the presidential office or as representatives of the presidential office."
Recently, amid the appointment of the Prime Minister and Chief of Staff, rumors about the appointment of Park Young-sun and Yang Jeong-cheol surfaced from presidential office insiders, leading to controversies over unofficial influence, which is interpreted as prompting a move to 'tighten communication' and 'restore internal discipline.'
According to attendees, Jung said during the first meeting with senior secretaries that morning, "The presidential office is an organization that works, not one that talks."
There were criticisms that some aides in the presidential office were absorbed in their own politics, causing confusion by conveying inaccurate information. For example, regarding the rumors about the appointments of Park Young-sun and Yang Jeong-cheol, the presidential office officially stated that the reports were "not true," but some insiders said, "It is true that it is under consideration."
Jung emphasized, "Politics of the presidential office is done by the President, not by the secretaries," and added, "The President's decision is final. There must not be any gaps in supporting it."
He also said, "Even if I quit tomorrow, I have lived with the determination to do my duty," and stressed, "Serving the President well is serving the nation loyally. I will take the lead. Your full patriotism should be directed toward the President and the people."
At his inauguration ceremony the day before, Jung stated, "If we keep private interests away and act only with public-mindedness, I believe we can overcome the current difficulties well," and added, "The secretaries and administrative officers of the presidential office are the steering wheel and engine leading the Republic of Korea."
Having resigned from his position as a sitting member of the National Assembly, Jung started official duties at the presidential office from that day. In the afternoon, he is scheduled to receive his appointment letter as Chief of Staff from President Yoon. Jung is also expected to personally visit the senior secretaries' office to receive work reports from the aides.
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