Two political affairs secretaries on the chopping block

President Yoon Suk-yeol speaks to reporters at the Yongsan presidential office in central Seoul Monday morning. [JOINT PRESS CORPS]

After the presidential office signaled a major reshuffle ahead of the Chuseok holiday next month, two political affairs secretaries resigned Monday.

Hong Ji-man, first secretary for political affairs, and Kyung Yun-ho, second secretary for political affairs, tendered their resignations earlier that morning, according to a senior presidential official.

While both were described as voluntary resignations, there is speculation they were pressured to quit.

A senior presidential official told reporters on the resignattions Monday, "I am aware that there have been plenty of conversations within the presidential office about organizational matters, and the secretaries expressed their resignations accordingly."

Their successors have yet to be named.

The official also hinted that nobody is exempt from a broader reshuffle of personnel in the presidential office regardless of rank, saying, "There will be no exceptions."

The official added, "If there are any shortcomings from the people's perspective, we will address them."

The presidential office has been hinting at a major reshuffle ahead of the Chuseok holiday amid low approval ratings for President Yoon Suk-yeol and criticism over his personnel choices. There around 35 secretary-level staffers in the presidential office.

The president has been hurt by the ongoing internal feuding in his People Power Party (PPP).

Last month, Kweon Seong-dong, PPP floor leader and Yoon's close ally, was photographed reading on his smart phone a text message from Yoon taking a jab at suspended PPP chief Lee Jun-seok.

This caused an uproar within the party, as the president's personal texts have not been leaked before. Kweon, who was serving as acting chairman of the PPP after Lee's six-month suspension over sexual bribery allegations, stepped down from the post to take responsibility.

The office of the senior secretary for political affairs, which should have served as the presidential office's "Yeouido channel" — dealing with National Assembly matters — was criticized for not having done a sufficient job in handling the controversy.

Lee has openly blamed the president and his allies for his ouster and filed multiple court injunctions against the PPP, with the feud not expected to simmer down soon.

Kweon is currently serving as the PPP's acting chief again because a court injunction filed by Lee Friday suspended an emergency steering committee headed by Rep. Joo Ho-young, leading to another leadership vacuum. However, some members of the PPP have questioned Kweon's leadership especially after the leaked text message.

"The presidential office should be the most dedicated and competent organization in order to properly serve the people," said Yoon when asked by reporters about a possible reshuffle on his way to work Monday morning. "And since it is the most important institution, dedication to the country and competency must always be maintained at the highest level."

Earlier this month, Yoon marked 100 days in office and promised to pay closer attention to public sentiment.

Starting the reshuffling process, on Aug. 21, Yoon appointed Lee Kwan-sup, vice chairman of the Korea International Trade Association (KITA), as senior presidential secretary for policy planning, a newly established position to supplement a shortage in staff. Yoon also named Kim Eun-hye, a former TV anchor and PPP lawmaker, as his new senior secretary for press affairs, in a move to improve public messaging.

BY SARAH KIM [kim.sarah@joongang.co.kr]