Presidential Chief of Staff Im Jong-seok (left) announces the appointment of senior presidential secretaries at the Chunchugwan press center at Cheong Wa Dae on May 11. The appointees are Cho Kuk (second from left), Cho Hyun Ock (third from left), Yoon Young Chan (fourth from left) and Lee Joung Do.

By Yoon Sojung

Photos = Jeon Han

Senior presidential secretaries at Cheong Wa Dae were appointed on May 11. 

In a briefing at the Chunchugwan press center at Cheong Wa Dae, Presidential Chief of Staff Im Jong-seok announced that Cho Kuk, a professor of law at Seoul National University, was appointed as the senior presidential secretary for civil affairs. 

Im also told the press that Cho Hyun-ock, a visiting professor at Ewha Womans University, was appointed as the senior presidential secretary for personnel affairs, while Yoon Young-chan, executive vice president at the web site Naver, was named as the senior presidential secretary for public relations. 

Im also said that Hong Nam-ki, the first vice minister of science, ICT and future planning, was named as senior of the Office of Government Policy Coordination, while Lee Joung-do, who served in the administrative budget department at the Ministry of Strategy and Finance, was appointed as the senior secretary for general affairs. Kwon Hyuk-ki, who served as a former vice speaker at the National Assembly, was named as the senior of the presidential press center, Chunchugwan. 

The newly appointed senior presidential secretary for civil affairs, Cho Kuk, speaks at the Chunchugwan press center at Cheong Wa Dae on May 11.

Regarding the appointment of senior presidential secretary for civil affairs Cho Kuk, Chief of Staff Im said, “Cho is one of the most renowned legal scholars in Korea, and has a firm belief and understanding of the philosophy of law and principles, human rights and democracy.” 

“He is a well-qualified person to support President Moon’s strong will and determined manner to reform the public prosecutors and other organizations that have such authority,” Im said. 

Concerning the appointment of the senior presidential secretary for personnel affairs, Im said, “Professor Cho Hyun-ock is considered the best person to realize the president’s philosophy of conducting balanced personnel matters.” 

“She will also make sure the human resources at Cheong Wa Dae are systematic and balanced, and also work to spread such human resources to the Cabinet and to public organizations in general,” Im said. 

Newly-appointed senior press secretary Yoon Young Chan makes an announcement at the Chunchugwan press center at Cheong Wa Dae on May 11.

Im introduced the new senior presidential secretary for public relations Yoon Young-chan as being one of “the most suitable people to faithfully serve the president’s philosophy of the media being a partner in the management of state affairs, and a channel for communication with the people.” 

“Yoon will realize a new form of public relations concerning state affairs, accompanied by two-way communication and empathy." 

Finally, in regard to the newly named senior secretary for general affairs, Lee Joung-do, Im said, “Appointing a career administrative official specialized in budget policy, not a close presidential aide, unlike previous administrations, reflects the president’s decision to run the Cheong Wa Dae presidential office in a transparent manner according to systemic principles and the rule of law.” 

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