By Kang Seung-woo
President Park Geun-hye is under growing pressure to carry out a shakeup at Cheong Wa Dae amid criticism she failed to reflect the public’s wishes during a press conference Monday.
In addition, political backlash within the ruling party, as well as the opposition side, is giving an extra headache to the presidential office that planned to gain momentum through the conference for her various reform drives and government operations in her third year in office.
Analysts say that an early, yet large-scale reshuffle, including the presidential chief of staff, would be the only solution to ease the public outcry.
In the press conference, President Park “countered” the public calls for personnel changes at her office, defending her Chief of Staff Kim Ki-choon and three secretaries, who have been under heavy fire because of the “memogate” scandal. The incident suggested there had been a power struggle between Park’s former aide Jeong Yun-hoe and her younger brother Park Ji-man.
However, Park’s press conference seems to have fallen flat with the public, according to a poll.
A Realmeter survey of 1,000 people revealed Tuesday that 52.2 percent of the respondents believed Park’s press conference was not satisfactory, compared with a 39.5 percent approval. In addition, 56 percent said that Park needs to replace the three secretaries ― Lee Jae-man, secretary for administrative affairs; and Jeong Ho-sung and An Bong-geun, two personnel secretaries. They are Park’s closest aides who have helped Park since 1998, when she began her political career.
However, the presidential office was cautious on the subject of a potential reshuffle.
“As for a shake-up of Cheong Wa Dae, we do not usually announce it in advance,” said presidential spokesman Min Kyung-wook.
“When a detailed plan is mapped out, we plan to unveil it at an appropriate time.”
There is speculation that the presidential office is expected to carry out a reshuffle around Feb. 25, the third anniversary of Park’s inauguration, fueling expectations that the current disapproval for Park may lead to a sizable reshuffle in order for her to break through the “crisis”.
“Around that time, President Park appears to be considering replacing Kim and some senior secretaries,” a Cheong Wa Dae official said in a media interview.
The Saenuri Party is not on Park’s side on the issue ― even lawmakers supporting the President.
“Amid negative publicity, it was not appropriate publicizing the defense of her close aides. It was like confronting the people,” Rep. Choung Byoung-gug said Tuesday.
Saenuri lawmaker Chung Woo-taik, who belongs to the pro-Park faction, said in a radio interview that the press conference failed to meet public expectations.
“Park should shake up Cheong Wa Dae,” said Professor Chung Goon-gi of Hongik University.
“Above all, the presidential chief of staff should be replaced.”
Chung said Kim Ki-choon seems to have lost his grip on the presidential secretariat, citing a series of recent incidents.
On Friday, Kim Young-han, the senior presidential secretary for civil affairs, refused the chief of staff’s instruction to attend a parliamentary session for questioning on the memogate scandal and stepped down from his post.
In addition, another presidential secretary was involved in another scandal Monday, in which he criticized Saenuri Chairman Kim Moo-sung and party member Rep. Yoo Seong-min for allegedly masterminding memogate.
“The latest case will help President Park make a firm determination to replace her chief of staff,” Chung said.
Yoon Hee-woong, head of public opinion research firm Min Consulting, said President Park now needs to reshuffle her office due to the increasing negative publicity surrounding her press conference.
“The renewal should include the chief of staff and other Cabinet members or senior presidential secretaries,” he said.
“Given that the three close secretaries are likely to keep their positions, it will not be enough to quell the public outcry with the lone replacement of the chief of staff. It does not guarantee any political effects.”
However, Bae Jong-chan forecast that a potential reshuffle may end up in disappointment.
“The press conference failed to remove negative factors for Park’s disapproval,” Bae said.
“However, the President’s stance does not seem to change at all and she is not likely to carry out a shake-up, much less a replacement of the chief of staff.”
Park said in the press conference that she would form a group of special advisors for better communication.
“The people want her to change those who are now in the office, not an organization,” Bae said.