Kang Hoon-sik submits resignation Monday morning

Move seen as taking responsibility for presidential support role

President Lee Jae Myung presides over a senior secretaries meeting at Cheong Wa Dae on Monday. [Yonhap]
President Lee Jae Myung presides over a senior secretaries meeting at Cheong Wa Dae on Monday. [Yonhap]

President Lee Jae Myung said Monday he has yet to decide what to do about the resignation submitted by Chief of Staff Kang Hoon-sik.

Speaking at a senior secretaries meeting he chaired that day, Lee addressed Kang directly, noting that Cheong Wa Dae staff had been working tirelessly day and night, with some suffering health problems as a result. "It seems our chief of staff would like to graduate on Monday," Lee said, adding that he had not yet made up his mind on whether to accept the resignation.

Kang had submitted his resignation to Lee earlier that morning. A Cheong Wa Dae official said the move reflected Kang's sense of comprehensive responsibility as the chief of staff tasked with supporting the president. "Did not President Lee repeatedly mention at his Sept. 18 press conference that the public's critical view of state affairs stemmed from his own shortcomings?" the official said.

Lee acknowledged the physical toll on his staff. "The chief of staff and many others have endured great hardship over a long period under physically demanding conditions," he said.

He added, "Still, I hope you can find some comfort in the thought that the difficulties you face may not be so great compared to the hardships our people experience in their daily lives and on the ground."


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