Do Je-hae edits news stories as part of the AI team.
President Moon's keywords for 2021: economy, stability, communication
President Moon Jae-in flies on the E-737 Peace Eye military aircraft early Friday to inspect combat readiness on New Year's Day. Yonhap
By Do Je-hae
By Do Je-hae
For the first time, President Moon Jae-in's office will be run by an economic and ICT expert, a departure from the practice of filling the chief of staff post with political heavyweights with special personal ties to the President.
The presidential office on Thursday announced You Young-min, Moon's first science and technology minister with years of experience in the corporate sector, as successor to outgoing chief of staff Noh Young-min after almost two years on the job.
Moon also named Shin Hyun-soo, a former career prosecutor, as the senior presidential secretary for civil affairs. The announcement came just one day after Noh, civil affairs secretary Kim Jong-ho and the controversial chief of staff for policy Kim Sang-jo expressed their intention to resign on Dec. 30, 2020 in order to give the President a chance for a “fresh start.”
Economy
The presidential office was initially planning on announcing the replacements after the New Year holidays, but made an urgent announcement on the last day of 2020. The unusual transition at the presidential office was seen to reflect the President's determination to put all of the controversies surrounding his leadership behind him and start what is widely seen as his last year in office with a new mindset and new team.
The President highlighted the economy as a priority in his New Year message, Friday, delivered through his Facebook account. In particular, Moon will prioritize Green New Deal projects for laying the ground for economic recovery and sustainable growth in the post-COVID-19 era.
Moon's office has explained that the appointment of an economy and ICT expert as the chief of staff reflects the President's resolve to put all of his energy toward reviving the economy and restoring the people's lives that have been hit by severe hardships from the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic.
President Moon Jae-in, center, talks with employees during a visit to a hydrogen company based in the southern industrial center of Ulsan on Jan. 17, 2019. Green New Deal projects will become the focus on President Moon's final phase in office as he exerts all efforts to lay the ground for economic recovery and sustainable growth in the post-COVID-19 era. Courtesy of Cheong Wa Dae
“The pain our people have endured is immeasurable,” Moon said during his last weekly meeting of 2020 with his senior aides on Dec. 28, 2020. “Not only those who have been infected with COVID-19 or have experienced death in their families from the pandemic, but also those who are struggling to make ends meet from the economic shock are dealing with an unprecedented ordeal. The frozen job market and loss of jobs are painful for those who have been affected and there are people who have been forced into unpaid leave. The government will never forget their hardships and will do our best to help them overcome the difficulties.”
Stability
Cheong Wa Dae said that retaining the policy chief is a way to ensure stability in policy management. This is critical to avoiding an early lame-duck status ahead of the presidential election in March 2022. “Since there are many issues in progress, retaining Kim is a measure to ensure that they are not cut off and that projects underway are not disrupted,” a presidential source said.
Keeping the policy chief, in addition to the recent series of Cabinet reshuffles which failed to stir much excitement among the public, is being viewed in a negative light by critics and the opposition. Moon recently announced replacements for the controversial Land Minister Kim Hyun-mee and Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae.
Some experts point out that the reshuffles at the presidential office and the Cabinet lack fundamental signals that the President is sincere about winning back public trust after a series of policy failures, particularly with housing, as well as the year-long conflict over his prosecutorial reform.
“The reshuffles show that the President wants to keep the existing policy and personnel framework overall,” Choi Jin, director of the Institute of Presidential Leadership in Seoul, told The Korea Times. “The conflict between the justice ministry and the prosecution will continue to have political repercussions. In the case of real estate policy, if it hasn't worked for three and a half years, and we're going to need to see changes in its direction, but it looks like he wants to follow the existing policies. This is bound to result in stronger public backlash.”
Moon did not accept the offer of resignation Kim Sang-jo, the chief presidential policy adviser. Kim oversees the Moon administration's economic and housing policies and has led taskforces on some of the key initiatives of the government. Kim led a taskforce for Trade Minister Yoo Myung-hee's World Trade Organization (WTO) chief race and is also in charge of a taskforce for vaccination procurement, which has emerged as the core policy agenda.
Communication
The President is expected to be more forthcoming about communication amid intense criticisms of Moon's disregard for public opinion and the opposition.
President Moon Jae-in, left, and science and ICT minister You Young-min arrive at a Cabinet meeting on March 20, 2018. You was named Moon's third chief of staff on Dec. 31, 2020. Yonhap
The appointment of a new chief of staff came amid a significant drop in Moon's job approval rating in recent weeks, which has been stuck in the late 30 percent range. When this enters the low 30s, Moon is expected to find himself in real trouble, unable to lift himself out of lame-duck status as the people lose interest in him when the presidential campaigning begins in the latter part of this year. At such times, the willingness to communicate is critical, according to some experts.
“First of all, the President must show that he really respects the people's sentiments,” Myongji University professor Shin Yul told The Korea Times. “Secondly, he must show sense of responsibility.”
In his first press conference as chief of staff, You underlined his role as a messenger. “Above all, I will listen to the sentiments and opinions from the outside earnestly and deliver them to the President,” he said.
President Moon Jae-in visits a traditional market during Chuseok holidays on Sept. 29, 2020. Courtesy of Cheong Wa Dae
The presidential office is planning a press conference later this month by the President where he will seek to relieve the people's primary concerns such as vaccinations with explanations and future plans.
Diplomacy and national security will continue to be a top priority for President Moon, particularly during the first six months. President Moon flied on the E-737 Peace Eye military aircraft early Friday to inspect combat readiness on New Year's Day, according to the presidential office.
Regarding these crucial areas, the first thing Moon will focus on will be coordinating with incoming U.S. President Joe Biden on a host of bilateral issues such as the defense cost-sharing negotiations, on top of crafting an alliance response to North Korea.