Resigned "Chungju Man" Kim Seontae Heading to Presidential Office? "There Was No Concrete Offer"

KBS: "Presidential Office Asked About Hiring Intentions"
Kim Seontae: "It Was Only at the Level of Asking About My Interest in Public Office"

Speculation is growing over the possibility that administrative officer Kim Seontae of the Chungju City Hall in North Chungcheong Province, better known as "Chungju Man," may be heading to the presidential office.

On the 19th, KBS reported that the presidential office recently met with Kim, who had submitted his resignation and gone on extended leave, to ask whether he would be interested in being hired. According to the report, Kim has not yet given a clear answer and is said to be still considering the matter.

Kim Seontae, administrative officer in charge of the Chungju City YouTube channel. Chungju City YouTube

However, Kim drew a line, saying, "I have not received a specific job offer." In a phone call with iMBC Entertainment that day, he explained, "There was a meeting with the presidential office, but it was only at the level of asking whether I am interested in public office," adding, "There was no concrete proposal asking me to come to any particular place. That is why I did not give an answer."

He also said, "I am still a public official because my dismissal has not yet been processed," and added, "Until everything is completely settled, I am not thinking about it in concrete terms." This is being interpreted to mean that, although he is receiving multiple offers, he is not yet at the stage of seriously reviewing them.

Kim gained nationwide recognition by running Chungju City's official YouTube channel, "ChungTV." With planning and editing that embodied so-called "B-grade sensibilities," the channel drew attention and grew to nearly 1 million subscribers. In recognition of these achievements, he received a special promotion to Grade 6 in January 2024. It was an ultra-fast promotion achieved in about seven years after he joined the civil service as Grade 9 in 2016.

Kim abruptly submitted his resignation on the 12th and is currently on leave while using up his annual days off. It is known that once his leave ends later this month, he will be processed as having voluntarily resigned. On the 13th, he uploaded a final video to "ChungTV," saying, "It has been 10 years since I entered public office. After seven years of living as Chungju Man, I would like to bid farewell," and added, "Those seven years were the happiest time of my life."

Various speculations have arisen over the background of his resignation, including rumors of ostracism and internal conflict, but Kim previously posted a statement denying any conflict with specific individuals or organizations. He said, "My resignation is a decision reached after achieving personal goals and contemplating new challenges in the future," and expressed his hope that unverified speculation and indiscriminate criticism would not continue to spread.

Regarding the possibility of entering politics, he also said, "I am not interested in politics." Meanwhile, the position of secretary in the Presidential Office's Digital Communications Secretariat has remained vacant for more than two months since former secretary Kim Namguk resigned in December last year following a controversy over alleged influence-peddling in personnel matters.