SEOUL, September 21 (AJP) - South Korean President Lee Jae Myung is facing mounting speculation over replacements for two of his most senior aides after presidential chief of staff Kang Hoon-sik offered his resignation Monday, less than three weeks after the departure of his policy chief.
Kang tendered his resignation to Lee on Monday morning, according to Cheong Wa Dae. A presidential official said the move was intended to take “comprehensive responsibility” for assisting the president amid falling approval ratings and a series of controversies surrounding recent personnel nominations. Lee has yet to decide whether to accept the resignation.
Ruling Democratic Party lawmakers Han Jun-ho and Cheon Jun-ho are among the names being discussed as possible successors to Kang.
“Rep. Han Jun-ho and Rep. Cheon Jun-ho are being mentioned as possible successors to Chief of Staff Kang Hoon-sik. If Rep. Cheon takes the chief of staff post, I think he would be the best fit,” a DP lawmaker told AJP.
Attention is also turning to the vacant post of presidential chief of staff for policy, which has remained unfilled since Kim Yong-beom resigned on Sept. 1. Kim’s resignation was accepted by Lee the same day.
Names being floated for the policy post include Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan, Fair Trade Commission Chairman Ju Byung-gi, Financial Services Commission Chairman Lee Eog-weon and former DP lawmaker Hong Sung-kook.
Hong, however, told AJP that he has never received an offer to serve as presidential policy chief.
If Kang’s resignation is accepted, two of the three top presidential staff positions — chief of staff and chief of staff for policy — would be vacant, leaving only the national security adviser in place.
Lee left Monday for a seven-day trip to the United States and Mexico, and a decision on Kang’s resignation and subsequent appointments could come after his return.
AJP Takeaways
- Presidential chief of staff Kang Hoon-sik’s resignation has triggered speculation over DP lawmakers Han Jun-ho and Cheon Jun-ho as possible successors.
- A DP lawmaker told AJP that Cheon would be the “best fit” for the chief of staff position.
- Kim Jung-kwan, Ju Byung-gi, Lee Eog-weon and Hong Sung-kook are being discussed for policy chief, but Hong told AJP he has received no offer for the post.
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