Yoon appoints PPP lawmaker Chung Jin-suk as new presidential chief of staff

President Yoon Seok-yul (R) takes questions from reporters after announcing the appointment of Chung Jin-seok (R), a five-term lawmaker from the People\'s Power Party, as his new chief of staff at the presidential office in Yongsan, South Korea, on Wednesday. It is the first time since taking office that Yoon has met with reporters to announce the appointment in person. Presidential Office Photo Press Corps

President Yoon Suk-yeol on April 22 appointed five-term PPP lawmaker Chung Jin-suk as new presidential chief of staff and Hong Chul-ho, a former two-term lawmaker, as his new senior secretary for political affairs. The appointments are interpreted as the government's intention to increase the ability to respond to political affairs, such as communication between the ruling and opposition parties. Opposition parties criticized the appointment of Chung, saying it was "against the public sentiment expressed through the general election."

Yoon personally announced Chung's appointment at the briefing room of the presidential office in Yongsan that morning. It is the first personnel reshuffle since Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, presidential secretary Lee Kwan-seop and chief of staff Han Oh-seop resigned en masse the day after the general election on April 10.

"(Chung) has a very good relationship with both the ruling and opposition parties in the political circles," Yoon said, adding, "I expect him to fulfill his duties well, not only with the staff of the presidential office but also with the cabinet, the ruling party, opposition parties, the media and civil society."

Yoon returned to the briefing room five hours later to announce the appointment of Hong. "The new senior secretary for political affairs was recommended by both ruling and opposition lawmakers for having excellent communication ability and sociability. I have never worked with him or had any personal relationship with him, but I believe he will do a good job," Yoon said.

In a rare move, Yoon announced the two appointments in person, followed by a short question-and-answer session with reporters. It is the first time in 17 months since he stopped taking questions from reporters about current events in public on his way to work in November 2022. "From now on, I will focus on getting closer to the people and persuading them more about the direction in which we go out, and also persuading and communicating with opposition parties to promote policies,” Yoon said.

Chung is a former journalist and a five-term lawmaker from Chungcheong Province who served as senior presidential secretary for political affairs during the Lee Myung-bak administration, floor leader of the Saenuri Party, and vice chairman of the National Assembly. He is considered one of the most prominent members of the pro-Yoon group in the ruling party. "I will do my best to assist (President Yoon) in doing the politics of communication, consensus and integration," said Chung, who was present at the announcement of the appointment, adding, "I believe the people will help me to overcome shortcomings.”

Hong is a former two-term lawmaker who served as a member of the 19th and 20th National Assembly. "The last general election was an election that checked the people's sentiment," Hong said. "As the government checked the result of the election, I think it will try its best to fill what it is lacking.”

※This article has undergone review by a professional translator after being translated by an AI translation tool.