Lee on Kang Hoon-sik: "Played a Major Role in Normalizing State Affairs"; to Lim Kwang-hyun: "Hope You Do as Much as Hoon-sik Hyung, If Not More"

Message of thanks to Kang Hoonsik as he leaves Cheong Wa Dae
"Early stabilization of a government that began in a barren wasteland"
Confidence and expectations for incoming Chief of Staff Lim Kwanghyun
"Let's navigate this great turning point in

President Lee Jaemyung praised outgoing presidential chief of staff Kang Hoonsik for his hard work on Oct. 14 and expressed confidence in incoming chief of staff Lim Gwanghyeon. Calling Kang by the affectionate nickname “Hoonsik hyung,” he conveyed his particular trust in him, while urging Lim to respect the will of the people and build on the government’s achievements.

President Lee Jaemyung enters a Cabinet meeting at the Blue House on Oct. 6, 2026. Yonhap News Agency

Lee wrote on X (formerly Twitter) that day, “Chief of Staff Kang Hoonsik, thank you for all your hard work,” adding, “You played a major role in stabilizing the government of popular sovereignty, which began in a barren wasteland, and in normalizing state affairs at an early stage.”

He continued, “Welcome, Chief of Staff Lim Gwanghyeon. I believe and expect you to do as well as Hoonsik hyung, if not better.” He also emphasized, “Let us show boundless respect for the will of the Korean people and work together to navigate this great turning point in our modern history.”

Lee’s message came shortly after the announcement that day of Lim’s appointment as the new presidential chief of staff. It praised Kang for supporting the early administration of a government that took office without a transition committee, while urging his successor, Lim, to take the government’s achievements to the next level.

Earlier that day, Kang announced Lim’s appointment at the Chunchugwan press center at the Blue House, saying, “I sincerely thank everyone who supported us as a government that began without a transition committee, and a Blue House that started without a single pen, worked toward the dream of making the Republic of Korea irreplaceable.”

Kang said, “It has been 499 days of striving with that sole purpose in mind,” adding, “I will remember for a long time the moments when we could have done better and the matters we should have examined more deeply.” He continued, “I leave with the belief that the Lee Jaemyung Administration will surely succeed.”

Lim, the incoming chief of staff, said, “My mission is to build on the achievements of the Lee Jaemyung Administration and bring about changes in people’s lives that they can truly feel,” adding, “I will devote all my energy to improving the difficult day-to-day lives of the people.”

Kang offered to resign on Sept. 21, taking responsibility for the administration of state affairs, but continued in the role for 23 days after Lee did not immediately accept his resignation. Lim is a politician with a background as an economic official who served in the National Assembly and the National Tax Service. The Blue House said he was the right person to strengthen cooperation among the ruling party, the government and the Blue House, and accelerate progress on the government’s agenda.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.