President Lee Appoints Im Kwang-hyun as New Chief of Staff

President Lee Jae-myung appointed Im Kwang-hyun as the new Chief of Staff on the morning of October 15. He also presented a plaque of appreciation to Kang Hoon-sik, the outgoing Chief of Staff, for his contributions.

On the previous day, President Lee named Im as the second Chief of Staff of his administration, following Kang's resignation on September 21, which led to a 23-day search for a successor.

Im, a seasoned tax official, entered public service through the 38th National Examination for Public Officials. He has held various positions, including Director of the Investigation Bureau at the National Tax Service, Head of the Seoul Regional Tax Office, and Deputy Commissioner of the National Tax Service. He was also a proportional representative member of the Democratic Party in the 22nd National Assembly and was appointed as the first Commissioner of the National Tax Service under the Lee administration.

Earlier, Seong Gi-hong, Senior Spokesperson for the Blue House, explained the appointment on CBS Radio's 'Park Seong-tae's News Show,' stating, "I believe President Lee made this decision after careful consideration, selecting Im Kwang-hyun, the National Tax Service Commissioner, as the new Chief of Staff for the second term."

Seong emphasized the importance of delivering results from the initial policy roadmap created by President Lee, stating, "It is crucial to produce tangible outcomes that resonate with the public, and it is necessary to change the wheels that will implement this."

He further noted that Im was chosen for his proven capabilities as a traditional economic bureaucrat and his experience as a lawmaker, describing the appointment as a move towards a more effective and functional office.

In response to concerns about Im's political acumen, Seong argued that Im's success in collecting high-value tax arrears and recovering offshore taxes demonstrates not only his policy capabilities but also his political judgment. He also highlighted Im's experience as a member of the National Assembly.

Seong dismissed claims of internal conflict between Kang and Kim Hyun-ji, the first secretary, as unfounded rumors, asserting that the Blue House has operated smoothly under Kang's leadership.

Regarding opposition claims linking Im's appointment to his relationship with the President's brother-in-law, Seong stated, "There is no basis for connecting the appointment of the Chief of Staff to his brother-in-law."