Yoon says presidential office must be dedicated, competent to serve people

SEOUL, Aug. 29 (Yonhap) -- President Yoon Suk-yeol said Monday that the presidential office must be dedicated and competent to better serve people amid speculation he may carry out a reshuffle of aides at his office to regain people's trust.

"The presidential office should be the most dedicated and competent group to properly serve the people," Yoon replied when asked about a possible reshuffle of his office as he arrived for work.

Yoon also said the presidential office's "commitment to the nation and the capacity to work must always be maintained at its highest level."

Yoon's remarks came a day after a senior presidential official said the president could replace as many as 10 secretaries before the Chuseok fall harvest holiday that begins on Sept. 9.

The senior official at the presidential office told Yonhap News Agency that about 10 secretaries "will be replaced before the Chuseok holiday next month."

The potential reshuffle is expected to affect offices of civil and social agenda and political affairs, according to the official.

The presidential office has conducted an inspection into secretaries ahead of the potential reshuffle.

Yoon has faced calls to overhaul his staff amid falling approval ratings blamed largely on his poor personnel choices in the presidential office and the government.

On Aug. 21, Yoon appointed Kim Eun-hye, a former lawmaker and his transition team spokesperson, as new senior secretary for press affairs in a reshuffle of the presidential office.

Asked about a leadership feud at the ruling People Power Party (PPP), Yoon said he would "respect" a decision by the PPP and its members.

The PPP has decided to form a new emergency leadership committee following a court ruling that suspended interim leader Joo Ho-young from duty.

The decision was made during a meeting last Saturday, a day after the Seoul Southern District Court granted an injunction requested by ousted PPP leader Lee Jun-seok.

kdh@yna.co.kr
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