Senior secretary for public affairs at the Blue House steps down
Lee Jung-hyun, senior presidential secretary for public affairs, tendered resignation on Thursday, according to sources with the Blue House late Friday.It has been widely speculated that Lee as well as other senior secretaries may step down as President Park Geun-hye made it clear she would administer a major reshuffle in the wake of the Sewol ferry accident on April 16.
Although the sources did not specify the reasons for Lee's step-down, speculated say he, one of the closest and most loyal aides to the president, is likely to be appointed minister of culture or public administration.
Whether Presidential Chief of Staff Kim Ki-choon will stay or not has not been unveiled yet.
Lee's resignation is highly likely to expedite the process for appointing a new prime minister. The Blue House may announce a nominee on Sunday at the earliest.
BY SEO JI-EUN [spring@joongang.co.kr]
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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