Presidential Chief of Staff Kim Dae-ki speaks during a press briefing at the presidential office in Yongsan District, Seoul, Thursday. Yonhap

President names Lee One-seok as prosecutor general

By Nam Hyun-woo

President Yoon Suk-yeol plans to carry out an overhaul of his office, including the creation of a new senior secretary position for policy planning, the presidential office said Thursday.

This is a follow-up measure to Yoon's remarks from his press conference marking his 100th day in office, Wednesday, during which he hinted at reshuffling the presidential office to regain the public's trust in the administration.

"Regarding the organization of the presidential office, we are now considering creating a new position of a senior secretary for policy planning," presidential Chief of Staff Kim Dae-ki said.

Korea International Trade Association Vice Chairman Lee Kwan-sup, left, speaks during the confirmation hearing of Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, right, at the National Assembly on Yeouido, Seoul, in this May 3 file photo. Korea Times photo by Oh Dae-keun

Although Kim did not announce who will be the new senior secretary, speculation is growing that Korea International Trade Association Vice Chairman Lee Kwan-sup will take the job, which will focus on coordinating various policies proposed by different senior secretaries.

"Lee is one of the leading candidates," a senior official at the presidential office said. "It will take time for us to confirm who will take the position."

During the press conference, Yoon said he is now "looking at the presidential office first" in order to accept negative public opinion on his choice of ministers and presidential secretaries and fix problems to better serve the people. The president has been suffering from low approval ratings, which are largely attributed to his selection of controversial secretaries and ministers.