Kim Min-seok, leader of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea, described Lim Kwang-hyun, the new presidential chief of staff, as a "quietly strong card" and said he is the right person to stabilize relations between the party, the government and the presidential office as well as state affairs. On the future course of Kang Hoon-sik, who stepped down as presidential chief of staff the previous day, Kim said "unlimited possibilities and areas of activity are open to him," leaving open the prospect of an early return to politics, including a run in a Seoul mayoral by-election.
Speaking on the 15th on "Minti 07," a program on the Democratic Party's official YouTube channel "Democratic Party TV," Kim said of Lim's appointment: "After careful deliberation, it turned out to be a very good appointment. It may come as a surprise to many, but in fact he is a quietly strong card, and I expect the results to be very good."
Kim cited stability in relations among the party, the government and the presidential office, policy continuity and a broad understanding of the economy as Lim's strengths. "The chief of staff has to be connected to all three — the party, the government and the presidential office," he said. "He came from the party and served as a lawmaker, he has worked in step with others inside the government, and he has good relations with key figures in the administration, including the president."
"He has taken part in Cabinet meetings continuously since the government took office, so he already has the understanding needed to carry policy direction forward," Kim said. "Rather than a bureaucrat from the National Tax Service in the narrow sense, he has an understanding of the economy as a whole and a strong grasp of markets and the real economy." He added that Lim is "someone who can be of considerable help to the president and who can be put to use right away in stabilizing the party, the government, the presidential office and state affairs as a whole under the current circumstances."
Kim also dismissed concerns about Lim's ability to take command of the organization. "The National Tax Service is a formidable organization with strong discipline and pride," he said. "Lim may look soft, but he has the classic leadership style of a gentle exterior with inner strength." He added: "Because he has the ability to manage an organization and run it administratively, and because he brings stability to relationships overall, organizational management will also proceed very steadily."
Kim expressed high expectations for Kang's future political path as well. "From the president's standpoint, he is an all-around next-generation leader who can be trusted with anything," Kim said. "Unlimited possibilities and areas of activity are all open to him."
Asked about the possibility of Kang running for Seoul mayor, Kim said, "The possibilities and the future are open for him to do anything," adding, "He is already a nationally known figure, his capabilities have been proven, and he has the trust of people both inside and outside the party."
"He will probably want to rest a little and take time to let what he has experienced mature and to study," Kim said. "But I don't know how much that will be allowed." Asked whether that suggested Kang might take on another role soon, Kim replied, "This is a time when everyone with the capability and experience to contribute to our government has to work in every field."
Kang left office the previous day after 499 days as presidential chief of staff. In political circles, some expect that Kang could emerge as a leading candidate on the ruling side if a Seoul mayoral by-election is held depending on the outcome of the trial of Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon over allegations that polling costs for Myung Tae-kyun were paid on his behalf. Kang's name has also been floated as a candidate for the next prime minister.
Separately, Kim stressed the need for police reform that strengthens mechanisms of democratic oversight, pointing to the concentration of investigative powers in the police following prosecution reform. "Police authority has grown and has become almost monopolistic, yet neither ordinary administrative controls nor democratic oversight mechanisms have taken root," he said.
He went on to list strengthening investigative capacity, putting in place checks to prevent cases from being buried or investigations delayed, and institutionalizing accountability for shoddy investigations as key tasks. "The task force we recently set up is still sorting this out, and we have nearly finished drafting a plan," Kim said. "It has to be made realistic but also the most reform-minded and sustainable approach possible."