Chief of Staff Lim Kwanghyun: "Ministerial Nominees Had to Withdraw; As Personnel Committee Chair, I Apologize to the Public"

At the National Assembly Steering Committee audit on the 29th
"We will strengthen vetting to allay concerns"

Chief of Staff Lim Kwang-hyun apologized on the 29th, saying, "There have been five cases in which ministerial nominees had to withdraw," and adding, "As chair of the Personnel Committee, I feel deeply sorry to the public."

Lim gave the response during a parliamentary audit of the Presidential Secretariat by the National Assembly's Steering Committee that day, after People Power Party lawmaker Kim Min-jeon pointed out that "five ministerial nominees have withdrawn since the launch of the Lee Jae-myung administration."

Presidential Chief of Staff Lim Gwanghyeon delivers a work report during a parliamentary audit of Cheong Wa Dae at the National Assembly on the 29th. 2026.10.29 Photo by Yoon Dongju

Lim emphasized, "Under the People Sovereignty Government's personnel principle of placing capable people in the right positions, appointments are being made in accordance with relevant laws and procedures," adding, "Personnel matters at Cheong Wa Dae are being handled systematically under the responsibility of the chief of staff, who chairs the Personnel Committee."

He added, "Going forward, we will strengthen vetting and other related measures to address public concerns."

Kim raised allegations that the Gyeonggi-Seongnam line and Kim Hyun-ji, head of the First Annex Office, had interfered in personnel appointments. Referring to former Chief of Staff Kang Hoon-sik, Kim said, "The person who said he would warn Chief Kim Hyun-ji was shown the door. Can't we talk about who has more power?"

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