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Cheong Wa Dae. / Park Sung-il

President Lee Jae-myung remains deeply deliberative over filling the vacuum at the helm of the economic team, which has stretched into its second week following the resignation of Kim Yong-beom, former presidential chief of staff for policy. With critical issues mounting—including real estate policy, 200 billion dollars in strategic investments in the U.S., and three flagship mega-projects—and presidential approval ratings trending downward, the appointment of a successor capable of delivering both policy continuity and reform momentum has gained heightened urgency.  

According to political circles on the 14th, the post of chief of staff for policy marks two weeks of vacancy as of the 15th, following Kim's departure on the 1st. Cheong Wa Dae is reportedly vetting a narrowed pool of candidates. With discussions on next year's budget proposal and tax reform measures intensifying, observers note that the administration can ill afford to leave the control tower coordinating economic and social policies vacant for an extended period.  

The incoming policy chief must concurrently orchestrate key national initiatives, including measures to stabilize the housing market, 200 billion dollars in strategic investments in the U.S., and three core mega-projects anchored by semiconductors, artificial intelligence data centers, and physical AI. The new appointee is also tasked with steadying Cheong Wa Dae's economic lineup, which has been unsettled following Kim's departure, while maintaining the drive behind major policy agendas.  

Among the potential candidates under consideration are Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Kim Jung-kwan, former Minister for Government Policy Coordination Yoon Chang-ryul, and former Presidential Chief of Staff for Policy Lee Ho-seung. Minister Kim is viewed as a leading contender given his deep command over trade and industrial affairs and his strong grasp of the current administration's economic policy direction. A key variable, however, is that he is actively steering the negotiations over strategic investments in the U.S. 

As Seoul and Washington work through final adjustments on their inaugural U.S. investment project, tapping Kim would require weighing the continuity of the trade negotiation team. Above all, the appointment is closely tied to recent declines in public sentiment. With President Lee's approval ratings sliding, Cheong Wa Dae is under pressure to maintain economic policy stability while also generating momentum for a political turnaround.  

An official from the ruling bloc remarked, "With personnel issues having escalated significantly of late, the president's deliberations have naturally grown heavier," adding, "Since this position does not require a parliamentary confirmation hearing, finalizing the appointment of the next policy chief will quickly accelerate the reorganization of Cheong Wa Dae's economic team."

                                                                                                        Park Young-hoon