[Q&A] Resurrection of 'Chief of Civil Affairs' Kim Juhyun, Former Deputy Minister of Justice... "Listening to Public Sentiment Without Reservation" (Comprehensive)

Yoon: "Public Sentiment Listening Function Too Weak"
Transfer of Public Service Discipline and Legal Secretary to the Office of Civil Affairs Secretary

President Yoon Suk-yeol is introducing Kim Joo-hyun, former Deputy Minister of Justice, who was appointed as the new Senior Presidential Secretary for Civil Affairs, at the Yongsan Presidential Office building in Seoul on the 7th. [Image source=Yonhap News]

President Yoon Suk-yeol has revived the Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs to strengthen the function of gathering public opinion and initiated personnel and organizational reshuffles around the 10th, marking his second anniversary in office.

On the morning of the 7th, President Yoon held a briefing at the Presidential Office in Yongsan, Seoul, and appointed Kim Joo-hyun (63, 18th Judicial Research and Training Institute) former Deputy Minister of Justice as the newly established Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs of the Presidential Office. President Yoon had abolished the Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs during the last presidential election, citing that the office previously oversaw investigative agencies and had issues such as interference in investigations. However, following the defeat in the April 10 general election, the need to reinforce public opinion listening was actively raised, leading to a change in direction.

Q. Who is the new Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs, Kim Joo-hyun?

A. Born in Seoul, he graduated from Seorabeol High School and Seoul National University Law School. After completing the 18th Judicial Research and Training Institute, he began his career as a prosecutor at the Seoul District Prosecutors' Office in 1989. He served as the Planning Director at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, Director of the Prosecutor's Office at the Ministry of Justice, and held the position of Chief Prosecutor of the Criminal Division 1 at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, the most senior among nationwide chief prosecutors, before becoming the Third Deputy Chief Prosecutor at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office. At that time, after former Prime Minister Han Myeong-sook was acquitted in the first trial by the Special 2nd Division of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, he was transferred to the head of the Anyang branch of the Suwon District Prosecutors' Office in a personnel reshuffle, which was regarded as a demotion. However, a year later, in August 2011, he was promoted to Chief Prosecutor and appointed as Deputy Chief Prosecutor of the Daejeon District Prosecutors' Office, subsequently serving in key positions at the Ministry of Justice, including Director of the Planning Office and Director of the Prosecutor's Office.

He served as Deputy Minister of Justice in February 2015 and was appointed as Deputy Chief Prosecutor of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, the second-highest position in the prosecution, in December of the same year. After opening a law firm in 2017, he worked at Baeksan Joint Law Office before moving to Kim & Chang Law Office in 2021. It is said that during his time as a prosecutor, he stood out for his excellent investigative skills and efficient case handling, earning recognition among his peers at the Judicial Research and Training Institute as a potential future Prosecutor General.

Q. Why was former Deputy Minister Kim selected?

A. Kim is regarded as a prosecutor who was recognized for both investigative and planning abilities. In 1993, when he was a fifth-year prosecutor, he worked alongside President Yoon, who had just been appointed as a prosecutor, at the Daegu District Prosecutors' Office. He held various key roles, including Third Deputy Chief Prosecutor at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, which leads important and sensitive investigations, and Director of the Prosecutor's Office at the Ministry of Justice, overseeing the prosecution's budget and personnel. A former high-ranking prosecutor who worked under him said, "Prosecutor Kim was very smart and efficient. He was not only good at investigations but also handled tasks decisively when assigned."

He is known to inspire trust from superiors, giving the impression that he can handle any task well. He is also praised for his unique affinity and communication skills. During his time as spokesperson for the Ministry of Justice and as Third Deputy Chief Prosecutor at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, responsible for briefings on sensitive investigations, he maintained good relations with the media. He also served as acting Minister of Justice during his tenure as Deputy Minister and as acting Prosecutor General during his time as Deputy Chief Prosecutor. His leadership strengths include experience leading frontline special investigations as well as managing organizations at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office and Ministry of Justice.

President Yoon Suk-yeol is answering reporters' questions after introducing Kim Joo-hyun, former Deputy Minister of Justice, who was appointed as the new Senior Presidential Secretary for Civil Affairs, at the Presidential Office building in Yongsan, Seoul on the 7th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Q. Why is the Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs being revived?

A. It is to better listen to and gather public opinion following the crushing defeat in the general election. When asked why he revived the Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs, President Yoon said, "In an interview in July 2021 when I started politics, I mentioned that I would not establish the Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs if I became president, and I maintained that stance. However, the function of listening to public opinion was too weak, and I received a lot of advice from editorials and those around me."

He continued, "I was concerned because civil affairs were not functioning properly. Former President Kim Dae-jung also initially only had the Legal Secretary's Office due to concerns about dysfunction but eventually restored the Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs after two years in office. I also thought it would be better to restore the Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs." He added, "During a meeting with Representative Lee Jae-myung, the opposition delegation pointed out the need for a public opinion listening function. They said frontline public opinion was not reaching the president, and they mentioned restoring the Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs." The revived Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs office will take over the Public Service Discipline and Legal Secretary roles, and a new Civil Affairs Secretary will also be established.

Q. Will the Presidential Office continue its 'communication enhancement' efforts?

A. President Yoon is also strengthening communication with the press corps. The press conference marking the second anniversary of his inauguration will begin at 10 a.m. on the 9th and will be conducted in a format where he receives and answers questions from the Presidential Office press corps. A Presidential Office official said, "President Yoon has not scheduled any public events on the 6th and 7th to prepare with his aides for the press conference on the 9th. He plans to answer sincerely, focusing on questions the public is curious about rather than what he wants to say."