Moon appoints two as senior secretaries in latest personnel move

President Moon Jae-in on Wednesday names Chung Man-ho, left, as senior secretary for public affairs and Yoon Chang-yul as senior secretary for social affairs, [YONHAP]

President Moon Jae-in on Wednesday appointed Chung Man-ho, a former deputy mayor of Gangwon Province, as new senior secretary for public affairs.

Moon also named Yoon Chang-yul, a senior official in the Office for Government Policy Coordination, as the new senior secretary for social affairs in a second presidential team reshuffle this week.

According to presidential spokesman Kang Min-seok, Moon named Chung as the senior secretary for public affairs for his insights into political and economic issues and for his communications abilities.

"We believe he will be able to offer accurate and clear explanations about key issues of the government to the people to promote efficiency and public support for our policies," Kang said.

Chung is a former reporter for the Korea Economic Daily. He started his political career in 2002 by joining the Millennium Democratic Party, a predecessor of the ruling Democratic Party (DP).

In the Roh Moo-hyun Blue House, he served as the policy secretary and protocol secretary. He also worked as deputy economic governor of Gangwon Province.

In the April general elections, he ran as a DP candidate for Chuncheon-Cheolwon-Hwacheon-Yanggu B District in Gangwon, but lost.

According to Kang, Moon chose Yoon as the new senior secretary for social affairs for his balanced view and ability to coordinate policies. Yoon will be in charge of establishing social policies to improve Korea's inclusiveness.

Yoon passed the civil service exam in 1990. He spent most of his career as a public servant in the Prime Minister's Office.

Moon started reshuffles in the Blue House in early July by replacing key members of the national security team. Over the past weeks, he replaced seven senior secretaries, as his approval rating continues to fall.

On Friday, six presidential aides, including Chief of Staff Noh Young-min, tendered resignations to take responsibility for public discontent over the administration's handling of real estate policy.

As of Wednesday, Moon replaced four of the six aides who offered to step down.

BY SER MYO-JA [ser.myoja@joongang.co.kr]