Chief of Staff Jeong Jin-seok and All Resign from the Presidential Office, Choi Sang-mok Says "No Plan to Accept Resignations" (Comprehensive)

Resignation Submitted in Protest of Constitutional Court Justice Appointment
Acting Chief Choi: "Time to Focus on National Stability"

All senior secretaries, including Chief Presidential Secretary Jeong Jin-seok, submitted their resignations to Acting President and Deputy Prime Minister for Economy and Minister of Strategy and Finance Choi Sang-mok on the 1st.

A presidential office official stated in a notice to the press corps that day, "All chiefs of the Presidential Secretariat, Policy Office, Security Office, foreign and security special advisors, and senior secretaries repeatedly expressed their resignations to Acting President Choi."

The mass resignation of the aides on that day is interpreted as a protest against Acting President Choi's appointment of Constitutional Court Justice candidates Jeong Gye-seon (recommended by the Democratic Party) and Jo Han-chang (recommended by the People Power Party) the previous day.

At the Cabinet meeting the day before, Acting President Choi announced the appointment of two of the three Constitutional Court Justice candidates, Jo Han-chang and Jeong Gye-seon. Regarding the other Democratic Party-recommended candidate, Ma Eun-hyuk, he said he would appoint him later if there is bipartisan agreement.

The presidential office and the ruling party expressed deep regret, viewing Acting President Choi's appointment of Constitutional Court Justices as exceeding his authority.

President Jinhyun-seok's Chief of Staff and other officials from the Presidential Office are paying their respects at the joint memorial altar for the victims of the Jeju Air passenger plane, set up in front of the Seoul City Hall main building on the morning of the 31st. Photo by Yonhap News

On the same day, Kwon Young-se, Emergency Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, after concluding a New Year's greeting and meeting at the Yeouido party headquarters, told reporters, "Since the executive branch is facing difficulties, the ruling party will prioritize national stability, but yesterday's appointment of Constitutional Court Justices is regrettable."

Kwon Seong-dong, floor leader of the People Power Party, also said, "If the decision had been made after sufficient discussion at the Cabinet meeting, it would have aligned with constitutional principles, but skipping that process and announcing the decision personally was somewhat an autocratic decision," adding, "I express strong regret."

It is known that all senior secretaries of the presidential office have repeatedly offered their resignations since the emergency martial law situation and the passage of the impeachment motion against President Yoon Seok-youl, taking responsibility under the administration of Acting President and Prime Minister Han Deok-soo.

Regarding this, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Strategy and Finance conveyed, "Acting President Choi believes that now is the time to unite efforts for both public livelihood and national stability and has no plans to accept the resignations." This indicates the position that the presidential office will not accept the collective resignations submitted by the aides.