Despite Past Investigations into 'Moon Administration,' Presidential Office Calls New Senior Secretary 'Right Person to Complete Reform'

[Anchor]

The appointment of lawyer Han Chan-sik as the Senior Presidential Secretary for Civil Affairs has sparked concerns within the pan-ruling bloc. This is due to his background as a former prosecutor and his history of investigating figures from the Moon Jae-in administration. The Presidential Office has drawn a line, asserting that he is the right person with the capability to complete prosecution reform.

Reporter Kang Cheongwan has the story.

[Reporter]

All three individuals who have served as Senior Presidential Secretary for Civil Affairs under the Lee Jae-myung administration have been high-ranking former prosecutors.

It is reported that the personnel plan to replace former Senior Secretary Bong Wook with Han Chan-sik had been under review since last month, and concerns raised by some in the pan-ruling bloc were reportedly a variable until the very last moment.

While serving as the Chief of the Seoul Eastern District Prosecutors' Office in 2019, Han directed the investigation into the "Moon Jae-in administration's Ministry of Environment blacklist case." Following that investigation, which targeted the then-ruling party, Han was passed over for promotion and left the prosecution service.

The chief prosecutor at the Eastern District Prosecutors' Office who handled the investigation at the time was Joo Jin-woo, currently a lawmaker for the People Power Party.

Furthermore, the fact that Han is the son-in-law of the late Choi Byung-yul, former leader of the Grand National Party who led the impeachment of former President Roh Moo-hyun, has also become a subject of discussion within parts of the pan-ruling bloc.

The Rebuilding Korea Party issued a statement expressing concern over what it called Han's "anti-reform" track record.

A pro-Moon Democratic Party lawmaker told SBS, "Appointing another former prosecutor following former Senior Secretary Bong Wook, amid the phase of adjusting investigative powers between the prosecution and police, is bound to cause controversy."

However, the Presidential Office emphasizes that it prioritized professional competence for completing prosecution reform and renewing state affairs.

[Kang Hoon-sik / Presidential Chief of Staff: (Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs Han Chan-sik) will strengthen accountability in the public service sector and flawlessly complete prosecution reforms, such as the establishment of the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency and the Public Prosecution Service.]

In this regard, a ruling party official stated, "It took time to dispel the concerns of some Democratic Party figures and persuade them."

Following the reshuffle of senior presidential secretaries, a cabinet reshuffle involving the replacement of some ministers is expected to begin in earnest after the National Assembly confirmation hearings for Prime Minister nominee Han Sung-sook, which will be held on June 25 and 26.

(Reported by Kang Cheongwan | Video by Jung Sang-bo | Video Editing by Oh Young-taek | Graphics by Lee Jong-jung)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.