"Without Even a Pen," 499 Days... The Blue House's "Hyungsik" Bids Farewell

Chief of Staff Kang Hoonsik Leaves the Blue House
From Launching a Government Without a Transition Committee to Economic Diplomacy
"Hyungsik!" President Lee Even Joked
Supporting Government Affairs Amid Special Trust
Steps Down 23 Days After R

"I am deeply grateful to everyone who supported us in making it possible for a government launched without a transition committee, and a Blue House that began without even a single pen, to dream of an 'Irreplaceable Korea.' I leave with the conviction that the Lee Jaemyung government will succeed, because of the people and situations I saw, heard and experienced. The Blue House, embarking on a new chapter, will come even closer to becoming part of a successful government."

Kang Hunsik, who stood by the president from the launch of the Lee Jaemyung government, offered his final remarks on October 14. It was 499 days after he entered the Blue House, giving up his seat as a three-term lawmaker to help build a successful government. He helped restore normal government operations amid the turmoil of martial law and impeachment, and worked on the front lines of economic diplomacy. But after offering to resign and taking responsibility for a series of controversies over personnel vetting, he stepped down 23 days later. It was the departure of a key aide who had enjoyed President Lee's particular trust, to the point that Lee publicly called him "Hunsik hyung."

Kang completed his final duty that day by personally introducing his successor, newly appointed Chief of Staff Lim Kwanghyun, at the Blue House's Chunchugwan press center. "My feelings remain unchanged: I said I gave up my seat in the National Assembly because I wanted to show the people a successful government," he said. "Those were 499 days of fighting with that sole purpose in mind." He added, "I'll reflect on whether I was too impatient in wanting to repay that trust. I will also remember for a long time the moments when I could have done better and the matters I should have examined more closely."

President Lee Jaemyung and Chief of Staff Kang Hunsik enter the Population Strategy Vision Declaration Ceremony at the Blue House on October 14. President Lee appointed Lim Kwanghyun, commissioner of the National Tax Service, as his new chief of staff. Oct. 14, 2026. Yonhap News

499 Days After Giving Up His Seat as a Three-Term Lawmaker: From Restoring Normal Government Operations to Economic Diplomacy

Kang's time at the Blue House began on June 4 last year, when President Lee took office. A three-term lawmaker representing Asan B in South Chungcheong Province, he gave up his seat and was appointed the first presidential chief of staff born in the 1970s. His first task was to assemble the president's staff and establish a system for running the government, which had been launched without even a presidential transition committee. Over the following year and four months, he coordinated government affairs as a bridge linking the ruling party, the government and the presidential office, and as one of the president's closest aides.

His work took him beyond the Blue House to the United States, the Middle East and Europe. During U.S.-South Korea tariff negotiations last August, he succeeded in establishing a communications channel with White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles. As the president's special envoy for strategic economic cooperation, he also visited Canada, Poland and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to engage in negotiations. In particular, when the fallout from the U.S.-Iran war this year put energy supplies in jeopardy, he visited the Middle East and Central Asia twice in March and April to negotiate additional imports of crude oil and naphtha. In effect, he took on the role of resolving major government issues, going beyond his duties as an aide who supported the president at close range.

His distinctive brand of "personal diplomacy" also proved effective. Khaldoon Al Mubarak, head of the Abu Dhabi Executive Affairs Authority and a powerful figure in the UAE, grew so close to Kang that he considered him an older brother. Kang, in turn, called him "Brother Khaldoon" and built a close relationship with him, including by giving him "Dujjonku" as a gift. The trust between the two also led to an economic cooperation agreement worth $65 billion.

Kang Hoon Sik, the presidential chief of staff appointed as the President's special envoy for strategic economic cooperation, speaks briefly with reporters at the departure hall of Terminal 1 at Incheon International Airport on Nov. 13 before departing for Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. 2025.11.13 Yonhap News Agency

"Hunsik Hyung, Did You Buy Land?" ... Serving the President With His Special Trust

The relationship between President Lee and Kang was distinctive even at official events. One notable example was a government ministry briefing held in Sejong City on December 11 last year. Lee invited Kang to speak, saying, "You're back in your hometown. Why don't you say a few words?" He then joked, "Hunsik hyung, did you buy land?" Kang laughed and waved off the suggestion, prompting laughter throughout the venue. By using the nickname "Hunsik hyung," which had surfaced in a controversy over influence-peddling in personnel appointments, Lee gave Kang an opportunity to ease the political pressure he was facing.

A similar moment occurred at a New Year's press conference on January 21. Asked about the possibility of Kang being tapped to run in the local elections, the questioner described the two men as being "in love." Lee responded jokingly, "I love my wife. When were we ever in love? ... That's creepy."

Their relationship dates back to the 2022 presidential election. Kang served as head of political affairs coordination for candidate Lee and also led the election campaign as head of the comprehensive situation room in last year's presidential election. As a key aide who had closely understood Lee's political judgment and governing philosophy, he wielded considerable influence over policy coordination and political affairs.

Lee made no effort to hide his trust in Kang that day, either. On X, formerly Twitter, he wrote, "Chief of Staff Kang Hunsik, thank you for all your hard work," adding, "You played a major role in stabilizing the People's Sovereignty Government, which started in a barren field, at an early stage and in restoring normal government operations." Even in his final message of thanks, he used the nickname "Hunsik hyung," conveying his special trust in Kang.

President Lee Jaemyung smiles after offering words of encouragement to Chief of Staff Kang Hoonsik, who had just returned from a visit to the UAE as a special envoy, at a senior secretaries meeting held at the Blue House on March 19, 2026. Yonhap News

Steps Down 23 Days After Offering to Resign Amid Controversy Over Failed Personnel Vetting and Falling Presidential Approval

Despite the president's deep trust in him, Kang faced criticism over inadequate vetting after a series of ministerial nominees, including Yong Hyein and Kim Seungwon, withdrew. As the controversy coincided with a decline in public support for the government and calls grew for a personnel overhaul at the Blue House, he decided on September 21 to step down. The Blue House said the decision reflected his overall responsibility for the operation of the government as chief of staff to the president.

Even after offering to resign, Kang spent 23 days handling the president's overseas trips and major government issues. As Lee took more time to decide on a successor, some raised the possibility that Kang might remain in his post. But after the announcement of his successor that day, Kang concluded his official schedule by attending the Population Strategy Vision Declaration Ceremony at the Blue House guesthouse.

He will return to private life on October 15. He may be mentioned again as a potential candidate for Seoul mayor or prime minister, but is expected to refrain from public activities for the time being as he develops his plans for the future.

President Lee Jae-myung offers a drink to the restaurant owner while having dinner with Presidential Chief of Staff Kang Hoon-sik at a Korean restaurant in Tongin Market, Jongno-gu, Seoul, on Feb. 9, 2026. Yonhap News.

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