Yongsan Staff Oppose Constitutional Court Justice Appointment
Discussing Positions in Morning Suseo Secretary Meeting
Acting President and Deputy Prime Minister Choi Sang-mok, who is also the Minister of Economy and Finance, is walking with Chief Presidential Secretary Jeong Jin-seok after paying respects at the National Seoul Memorial Cemetery on the 1st. Photo by Yonhap News
Jeong Jin-seok, Chief Secretary to the President's Office, who had expressed his intention to resign in protest against the appointment of a Constitutional Court justice, has decided to continue performing his duties as of the 2nd.
Choi Sang-mok, Acting President and Deputy Prime Minister as well as Minister of Economy and Finance, reportedly viewed Jeong's continuation of duties as unavoidable to reduce political turmoil and actively rejected his resignation.
A presidential office official said in a phone interview with Asia Economy on the same day, "Chief Secretary Jeong came to work normally on the 2nd and presided over the regular senior secretaries' meeting as usual," adding, "The senior secretaries had a deep discussion about his position during the morning meeting."
Originally, Jeong had conveyed his intention not to come to work anymore, saying "I understand my resignation has been accepted" the day before, but after Acting President Choi repeatedly rejected the resignation, he reportedly changed his mind and decided to continue his duties.
The presidential office official said, "Acting President Choi initially said in the morning of the previous day that he would accept Jeong's resignation, but then called three times in the afternoon to reject it," adding, "Jeong explained the process of the resignation rejection to the senior secretaries during the meeting, and the senior secretaries also expressed opinions that 'the decision on his position should be made carefully.'
Acting President Choi reportedly reiterated that he has no intention of accepting the resignation, stating, "I believe we must now unite and devote all our efforts to the people's livelihood and political stability." This reflects concerns that if senior aides in policy and security, including the Chief Secretary to the President, were to resign all at once during an emergency situation, there would inevitably be a gap in the government's support functions.
A presidential office official said, "Since the emergency martial law situation, presidential aides have continuously expressed their intention to resign, and with the acting presidency continuing, they have repeatedly expressed their intention to resign," adding, "Can they continue their duties under the acting presidency?" Especially, it is known that there is a sentiment that Acting President Choi's move to appoint a Constitutional Court justice was an 'overreach.'
Some aides resigned and decided to assist President Yoon Seok-yeol. Former National Message Secretary Choi Jin-woong resigned on the 27th of last month and is currently handling message response duties for President Yoon, who is facing an impeachment trial.
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