The Republic Korea (RoK)’s President Lee Myung-bak on August 31 replaced five of his nine senior secretaries in a major shake-up of the presidential office Cheong Wa Dae ahead of a Cabinet reshuffle expected later in the week.
In a decision that appears to reflect Lee's emphasis on economic recovery, the president named his senior secretary for economic affairs, Yoon Jin-shik, to concurrently serve as the policy chief, a newly created post, Yonhap news agency reported.
The policy chief is the second-highest office in the presidential secretariat, next only to the chief of staff, according to Cheong Wa Dae spokesman Lee Dong-kwan.
"The policy chief can be understood as a de facto deputy chief of staff as he will oversee all policy-related offices," the spokesman told a press briefing, noting the post did not necessarily need to be filled by the economic secretary.
The latest shake-up also affected the spokesman, who was promoted to the newly created post of senior secretary for public relations. Park Sun-kyoo, a former journalist currently serving as a public relations secretary, and Cheong Wa Dae vice spokeswoman Kim Eun-hye were named to succeed Lee Dong-kwan as the first and second spokespersons, respectively.
The president has said any personnel changes will be based strictly on need, adding he will not use a shake-up or a Cabinet reshuffle as a "political show" to overcome difficulties.
"The shakeup is focused on creating a system that can more effectively assist the president throughout the mid-stage of his presidency," the Cheong Wa Dae spokesman said.
President Lee is expected to reshuffle his Cabinet within the week, including the post of prime minister, according to the news agency./.
In a decision that appears to reflect Lee's emphasis on economic recovery, the president named his senior secretary for economic affairs, Yoon Jin-shik, to concurrently serve as the policy chief, a newly created post, Yonhap news agency reported.
The policy chief is the second-highest office in the presidential secretariat, next only to the chief of staff, according to Cheong Wa Dae spokesman Lee Dong-kwan.
"The policy chief can be understood as a de facto deputy chief of staff as he will oversee all policy-related offices," the spokesman told a press briefing, noting the post did not necessarily need to be filled by the economic secretary.
The latest shake-up also affected the spokesman, who was promoted to the newly created post of senior secretary for public relations. Park Sun-kyoo, a former journalist currently serving as a public relations secretary, and Cheong Wa Dae vice spokeswoman Kim Eun-hye were named to succeed Lee Dong-kwan as the first and second spokespersons, respectively.
The president has said any personnel changes will be based strictly on need, adding he will not use a shake-up or a Cabinet reshuffle as a "political show" to overcome difficulties.
"The shakeup is focused on creating a system that can more effectively assist the president throughout the mid-stage of his presidency," the Cheong Wa Dae spokesman said.
President Lee is expected to reshuffle his Cabinet within the week, including the post of prime minister, according to the news agency./.
