Kang Seung-woo is the Business Desk editor at The Korea Times. Prior to this position, he covered politics, national affairs, finance and sports.
Park to replace chief of staff, Cabinet members this week
By Kang Seung-woo
Kwon Young-se
By Kang Seung-woo
President Park Geun-hye is likely to replace her presidential chief of staff and other Cabinet members this week.
Prime Minister designate Lee Wan-koo is expected to be approved at the National Assembly on Monday thanks to the ruling Saenuri Party’s majority, despite a series of alleged ethical lapses by the candidate.
Park then plans to wrap up the reorganization of her government at the recommendation of the new prime minister.
Cheong Wa Dae said last week it would carry out a small-scale Cabinet shakeup after the prime minister nominee gets the parliamentary nod.
The potential shakeup will center on the replacement of her Chief of Staff Kim Ki-choon.
Kim, 75, is a former justice minister and third-term lawmaker, who has earned a reputation for his strong grip on Park’s office, helping the President to handle state affairs effectively.
However, Kim has been at the center of criticism for the Park administration’s series of appointment failures because he is in charge of personnel management.
In addition, he was referred to as one of the main reasons for President Park’s communication issues that have haunted her since taking office in February 2013.
There have been increasing calls for a drastic shakeup from political circles, including Saenuri floor leader Yoo Seong-min. Park has been pressed to select her new chief of staff in order to regain momentum in the management of state affairs, ahead of entering the third year of her presidency. Park’s approval ratings hovered just around 30 percent last week.
“President Park is still deciding on her new chief of staff among multiple candidates,” said an official of the ruling party.
Amid the speculation, Kwon Young-se, Seoul’s ambassador to Beijing, is emerging as the top candidate to replace Kim.
According to a government source, Kim Jang-soo, former chief of the National Security office and defense minister, has been selected as the new ambassador to China, with Kwon set to take over the chief of staff job.
Kwon served three consecutive terms at the National Assembly from 2000 to May 2012, and worked as a chief strategist for the then presidential candidate Park in the 2012 election.
Should the 56-year-old be chosen as Park’s chief of staff, his selection will mark a generational shift in the sitting administration.
In addition, Kwon can help Cheong Wa Dae coordinate with the ruling party, as the Saenuri’s top officials are raising their own voices against the government.
However, his implication in the National Intelligence Service’s interference in the 2012 presidential election is a mark against him, and there are some reports that he plans to run in next year’s general election.
Hyun Kyung-dae, 76, a former fifth-term lawmaker, is also included in the list of candidates.
He is believed to have a good rapport with both the presidential office and the Saenuri Party and brings a wealth of experience as prosecutor of the special investigation team and as floor leader of the Democratic Liberal Party, a predecessor of the ruling party.
But Hyun is regarded as much too close to President Park and his age is also a sticking point.
Honorable mentions are former Busan Mayor Hur Nam-sik, Kim Hyung-ho, president of the Korea Press Foundation and former lawmaker, and Justice Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn.
Regarding new Cabinet members, Yoo Ki-june, third-term ruling party lawmaker, is highly likely to become the new maritime minister ― a post that has remained vacant since December. National Security Office Deputy Chief Kim Kyou-hyun, Rep. Yoon Sang-hyun of the Saenuri Party and Kwon are candidates to replace Unification Minister Ryu Kihl-jae meanwhile.