Jeon Gwang-sam, the newly appointed Senior Secretary for Civil Society at the Presidential Office, is expressing his thoughts on the 10th at the Yongsan Presidential Office building in Seoul. Photo by Presidential Office Press Photographers Group [Image source=Yonhap News]
President Yoon Suk-yeol appointed Jeon Gwang-sam, former Secretary for Citizen Communication, as the new Senior Secretary for Civil Society on the 10th. With this, the third round of personnel reshuffling at the Presidential Office, which began after the April 10 general election defeat, has effectively been completed.
Jung Jin-seok, Chief Secretary to the President, announced this appointment to reporters at the Yongsan Presidential Office that morning.
Regarding the new senior secretary, Jung said, "Based on his extensive experience and network accumulated across various sectors of society as a journalist, he has been recognized for his political acumen and communication skills. Above all, with his two previous experiences as a secretary at the Presidential Office, he is well-suited to listen to and coordinate diverse voices from civil society so that they can be reflected in state affairs."
Jeon expressed his inaugural remarks, saying, "I will listen with the humblest attitude, as broadly and deeply as possible, and with great care. I believe my mission and role is to listen a lot and convey things as they are, without alteration." He added, "I don't think there is a particular reason to communicate with people who share exactly the same thoughts as me. I will actively engage in communication with those who have different views in more fields."
The Senior Secretary for Civil Society position had been vacant since March when former senior secretary Hwang Sang-moo resigned following controversy over his 'kitchen knife terror' remarks. At one point, the position was considered for abolition, but it was ultimately retained.
Jeon is from Uljin, Gyeongbuk, graduated from Daegu Seonggwang High School and Chung-Ang University, and worked as a reporter for the Seoul Shinmun. He later served as the senior deputy spokesperson for the Saenuri Party and as the head of the Blue House Press Office during the Park Geun-hye administration.
Under the Yoon Suk-yeol administration, he worked as Secretary for Citizen Communication at the Presidential Office before running for the Daegu Buk-gap district in the April 10 general election. However, he was not nominated by the People Power Party. After losing the nomination, Jeon announced he would not run as an independent, stating that he wanted to engage in politics that provides comfort.
This appointment marks the final phase of the third personnel reorganization at the Presidential Office. After the general election defeat, President Yoon appointed new officials including Chief Secretary Jung Jin-seok, Senior Secretary for Political Affairs Hong Cheol-ho, and Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs Kim Ju-hyun. Those who took responsibility for the election loss, such as Policy Chief Sung Tae-yoon, Senior Secretary for Public Relations Lee Do-woon, Senior Secretary for Economic Affairs Park Chun-seop, Senior Secretary for Social Affairs Jang Sang-yoon, and Senior Secretary for Science and Technology Park Sang-wook, also offered their resignations but were not replaced.
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