Lee appoints tax chief Im Gwang-hyeon as presidential chief of staff
In short
South Korean President Lee Jae-myung appointed National Tax Service chief Im Gwang-hyeon (임광현) as his new chief of staff on October 14. Im replaces Gang Hun-sik (강훈식), who offered his resignation on September 21.
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South Korean President Lee Jae-myung appointed National Tax Service chief Im Gwang-hyeon (임광현) as presidential chief of staff on October 14. He replaces Gang Hun-sik (강훈식), who personally announced the appointment at a Blue House briefing. The announcement came 23 days after Gang offered his resignation on September 21. Kyunghyang Shinmun reported that Im's term would start on October 15 and that he would attend Gang's final meeting that day to receive the handover. [ 6 , 10 , 11 , 15 ]
Gang described Im as a former economic bureaucrat and politician with administrative experience and political judgment. He said Im's service in both parliament and government made him suited to reflect public concerns in policy and accelerate results through cooperation between the ruling party, government and presidential office. Im said he would take responsibility for the Blue House's work and devote his efforts to improving people's livelihoods. He pledged to continue the administration's achievements and deliver changes that people could feel in their daily lives. [ 5 , 6 , 10 , 11 ]
Im comes from Hongseong in South Chungcheong Province and entered public service in 1995 after passing the 38th civil service examination, the outlets reported. He held posts including head of the Seoul regional tax office and deputy commissioner of the National Tax Service. He was elected to the 22nd National Assembly through proportional representation and served as the Lee administration's first National Tax Service chief. [ 1 , 5 , 6 , 15 ]
The ruling Democratic Party welcomed the appointment, saying Im's government and parliamentary experience would help cooperation and policy implementation, Newsis reported. Opposition People Power Party floor leader Jeong Jeom-sik (정점식) questioned whether a career largely spent in taxation equipped Im to address broader government problems, according to Asia Economy and Newsis. Electronic Times also reported his criticism of the appointment and doubts about Im's ability to coordinate government affairs. [ 29 , 31 , 32 , 35 ]
Why it matters
The outgoing chief said Im's experience in government and parliament would help cooperation between the ruling party, government and presidential office. The ruling Democratic Party welcomed the appointment, while opposition leaders questioned his ability to coordinate broader government affairs.
Key facts
- Lee appointed National Tax Service chief Im Gwang-hyeon (임광현) as presidential chief of staff on October 14. [ 5 , 6 , 10 , 17 ]
- Outgoing chief of staff Gang Hun-sik (강훈식) announced his successor. [ 6 , 10 , 11 ]
- Gang had offered his resignation on September 21. [ 6 , 10 , 15 ]
- Im entered public service in 1995 and later served in the National Assembly and as National Tax Service chief. [ 1 , 5 , 6 , 15 ]
- The Democratic Party welcomed the appointment, Newsis reported. [ 29 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- Opposition leaders questioned whether Im could coordinate government affairs beyond taxation. These are political assessments reported by Asia Economy, Electronic Times and Newsis, rather than established outcomes of the appointment.