Former Presidential Office Secretary Kang Hoon Voluntarily Withdraws Application for President of Korea Tourism Organization

'Hannam-dong Line' 7-Person Group Allegation Denied
"We Will Be a Stepping Stone for National Reform"

Former Presidential Office Policy and Public Relations Secretary Kang Hoon voluntarily withdrew his application for the position of President of the Korea Tourism Organization on the 8th.

In a statement sent to the press corps covering the Presidential Office on the same day, former Secretary Kang said, "If I can ease the burden of the President's governance even a little and become a stepping stone for government reform, I will walk that path," expressing his intention to withdraw his application for the presidency.

Former Secretary Kang actively refuted the so-called '7-person group' of close aides to First Lady Kim Keon-hee from Hannam-dong, which had been raised by some quarters. He said, "As a former journalist who pursued facts, I would like to say this: the secretaries mentioned have never even shared a meal together, yet somehow I have become a member of the 7-person group."

He also stated, "In the so-called 'Park Young-sun-Yang Jeong-cheol' reports, I was named as a source and absurd rumors circulated that I had power struggles with the Chief of Staff," adding, "Certain individuals fabricate all sorts of nonsense and claim it as examples of arbitrary power."

Former Secretary Kang said, "Even at this moment, much more distortion is being added to the President and First Lady," and acknowledged, "I am not free from the responsibility of not serving them properly."

Han Dong-hoon, leader of the People Power Party, had requested personnel reform of the 'Hannam-dong line' during a meeting with President Yoon Suk-yeol last month.