By Kim Tae-gyu
A few names are being tossed around for the next presidential spokesperson following the resignation of Kim Haing, who spent her last months in a "virtually vegetative state."
Whoever succeeds her will face the same problem Kim faced with her immediate boss — press secretary Lee Jung-hyun.
In fact, many believe that Kim quit because she failed to win the confidence of Lee, President Park Geun-hye's confidant.
Lee himself conducted press briefings and other media-related affairs during the latter part of last year since he assumed the task in June.
Kim literally disappeared from TV screens.
Worse, she was not invited to several presidential events, according to sources.
"It would be a bit of a slap in the face. I think she was unable to swallow the insult," said a source who asked not to be named.
In that climate, Kim stepped down in an unexpected way as she worked as usual before office hours ended on Dec. 31. Her staff had no idea about her plan and even Lee seemingly didn't know exactly when she would quit although he said that he was aware of her intention to do so.
"It remains to be seen whether or not Lee would delegate his power to an incoming spokesperson. Some believe that few can meet Lee's high expectations," the source said.
"By contrast, there is also speculation that the newcomer's chemistry with Lee will be better this time around because Lee himself will be involved in the appointment procedures."
After the departure of Kim, Lee currently has no choice but to take all the tasks of spokesperson. Making things more complicated, Park's Chief of Staff Kim Ki-choon also got on the microphone this week to make it clear that there would be no reshuffle, as journalists did not buy Lee's similar explanations.
Asked the No. 1 qualification of the new spokesperson, Lee just expressed his wish that he or she builds a good relationship with journalists. Against the criticism that Lee does not let the spokesperson get before the microphones, he did not make comments.
If the new spokesperson does not succeed, it would be a setback for the Park administration because it would mark the third such failure.
With the exit of Kim, Park's first choices for the two-spokesperson system fell apart in less than a year after she took office in late February.
Along with Kim, Park named columnist Yoon Chang-jung as spokespersons in time with her inauguration. But Yoon was dismissed in a very disgraceful fashion in May as he allegedly groped an embassy intern during Park's visit to the United States.
Being floated as Kim's successor are former Cheong Wa Dae spokesman Park Seon-gyu, Defense Ministry spokesman Kim Min-seok and former lawmaker Ahn Hyung-hwan, who worked for President Park Geun-hye's election camp last year.
A few names are being tossed around for the next presidential spokesperson following the resignation of Kim Haing, who spent her last months in a "virtually vegetative state."
Whoever succeeds her will face the same problem Kim faced with her immediate boss — press secretary Lee Jung-hyun.
In fact, many believe that Kim quit because she failed to win the confidence of Lee, President Park Geun-hye's confidant.
Lee himself conducted press briefings and other media-related affairs during the latter part of last year since he assumed the task in June.
Kim literally disappeared from TV screens.
Worse, she was not invited to several presidential events, according to sources.
"It would be a bit of a slap in the face. I think she was unable to swallow the insult," said a source who asked not to be named.
In that climate, Kim stepped down in an unexpected way as she worked as usual before office hours ended on Dec. 31. Her staff had no idea about her plan and even Lee seemingly didn't know exactly when she would quit although he said that he was aware of her intention to do so.
"It remains to be seen whether or not Lee would delegate his power to an incoming spokesperson. Some believe that few can meet Lee's high expectations," the source said.
"By contrast, there is also speculation that the newcomer's chemistry with Lee will be better this time around because Lee himself will be involved in the appointment procedures."
After the departure of Kim, Lee currently has no choice but to take all the tasks of spokesperson. Making things more complicated, Park's Chief of Staff Kim Ki-choon also got on the microphone this week to make it clear that there would be no reshuffle, as journalists did not buy Lee's similar explanations.
Asked the No. 1 qualification of the new spokesperson, Lee just expressed his wish that he or she builds a good relationship with journalists. Against the criticism that Lee does not let the spokesperson get before the microphones, he did not make comments.
If the new spokesperson does not succeed, it would be a setback for the Park administration because it would mark the third such failure.
With the exit of Kim, Park's first choices for the two-spokesperson system fell apart in less than a year after she took office in late February.
Along with Kim, Park named columnist Yoon Chang-jung as spokespersons in time with her inauguration. But Yoon was dismissed in a very disgraceful fashion in May as he allegedly groped an embassy intern during Park's visit to the United States.
Being floated as Kim's successor are former Cheong Wa Dae spokesman Park Seon-gyu, Defense Ministry spokesman Kim Min-seok and former lawmaker Ahn Hyung-hwan, who worked for President Park Geun-hye's election camp last year.
