Yoon Urges Aides at Chief Secretary Meeting
Presidential Office: "Listen to Public Sentiment and Reform"
On Cabinet Reshuffle Timing: "After Budget Approval"
President Yoon Suk-yeol is speaking at the "Emergency Economic and Security Review Meeting in Response to Changes in External Conditions" held at the Presidential Office in Yongsan, Seoul, on the 10th. Photo by Yonhap News
President Yoon Suk-yeol said on the 11th regarding the ruling party-government relations, "Both the government and the ruling party should renew their determination and join forces to work again on the side of the people."
President Yoon made these remarks while presiding over a senior secretaries meeting at the Yongsan Presidential Office on the same day, according to a presidential office official who spoke to reporters.
The official said, "(President Yoon) also conveyed his commitment to devote all his efforts to the 4+1 reforms (pension, labor, education, labor, low birthrate) to meet the will of the people."
The presidential office explained that regarding the rise in President Yoon's approval rating in Daegu and Gyeongbuk (TK) in the public opinion poll on his state affairs management released that day, "We will listen more closely to public sentiment and strive to show a swift and determined reform."
According to a survey conducted by the polling firm Realmeter on behalf of Energy Economy Newspaper from the 4th to the 8th, targeting 2,516 voters aged 18 and over nationwide, President Yoon's positive evaluation of state affairs management was 22.3%, while the negative evaluation was 75.1%.
The positive evaluation decreased by 0.1 percentage points compared to the previous week, but the TK approval rating rose by 7.0 percentage points from 30.2% the previous week to 37.2%.
The presidential office said regarding personnel reshuffle and cabinet reshuffle, "Personnel verification has begun."
Earlier, President Yoon also said at a press conference on the 7th, "We have already started scouting and verifying talent pools to appropriately show a reform through personnel changes."
A presidential office official said, "However, for the time being, we need to respond to the inauguration of the new U.S. administration, and since overseas trips are scheduled, it can be seen as a time for diplomacy."
Regarding the timing of the cabinet reshuffle, the official explained, "The National Assembly budget bill is about to pass. The budget bill must be passed for the livelihood to function well," adding, "Therefore, we would appreciate it if you could wait until the budget passes."
It is known that Kang Ki-hoon, senior administrative officer of the Office of National Planning, who was considered part of the 'Kim Geon-hee First Lady line' within the presidential office, returned to work at the presidential office on the same day after serving a two-month suspension and sick leave due to a drunk driving incident.
Kang was caught by the police for drunk driving on a road in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, in June with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.121%, exceeding the license cancellation level (0.08%). It is reported that Han Dong-hoon, leader of the People Power Party, pointed out Kang's issue during a meeting with President Yoon.
A presidential office official said, "Since a major personnel reshuffle is underway, the issue concerning Kang will likely be resolved in that process."
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