People Power Party Slams Chief Secretary Kang's Resignation as 'Cutting Off the Tail'
Presidential Chief Secretary Kang Hoon-sik offered his resignation to President Lee Jae-myung on the 21st. Kang's resignation offer came on the heels of a string of ministerial nominees stepping down. Justice Minister nominee Kim Seung-won withdrew the day after a press conference following the adoption of his confirmation hearing report, amid allegations of lobbying involving a new drug, while Gender Equality and Family Minister nominee Yong Hye-in stepped down just 14 days after her nomination over the issue of retaining her proportional representation seat.
The People Power Party criticized the move as 'cutting off the tail,' pointing out that responsibility for the personnel controversies lies with Presidential Senior Secretary Kim Hyun-ji. People Power Party floor leader Chung Jeong-sik told reporters at the National Assembly on the 21st, "What matters is uncovering the truth behind the personnel manipulation by a de facto power behind the throne," adding, "Kim Hyun-ji, senior presidential secretary on the Seongnam line, and former Democratic Party policy coordination chief Jung Jin-sang must be summoned as witnesses to the National Assembly audit to verify the allegations of personnel manipulation." He also urged the resignation of Prime Minister Han Sung-sook, who recommended the ministerial nominees, as well as the presidential personnel secretary and civil affairs secretary, who were responsible for recommending and vetting candidates. Floor leader Chung jabbed, "Even after Justice Minister nominee Kim Seung-won voluntarily stepped down, public opinion remained unfavorable, so now they've cut off Chief Secretary Kang as well. What will they use to cut off the tail next?"
President Lee Jae-myung said at a meeting with senior secretaries and aides on the 21st regarding how to handle Kang's resignation offer, "I haven't yet been able to decide what I will do." The President was traveling to the United States on the 21st to attend the UN General Assembly and visit Mexico at the time Kang offered his resignation.
