[Edaily Kim Sang-yoon Reporter Hwang Byung-seo] Kang Hoon-sik, Chief of Staff to the President, tendered his resignation to President Lee Jae-myung on the 21st. With the position of Policy Chief currently vacant, his announcement that he intends to step down as well has raised the possibility of a reorganization of the Blue House’s three-chief system.

Senior Secretary for Public Relations and Communication Seong Ki-hong stated at a briefing that day, “Chief of Staff Kang Hoon-sik tendered his resignation to President Lee this morning.”
A Blue House official explained, “Given that President Lee repeatedly stated during last week’s press conference that he attributed the public’s perception of state affairs to his own shortcomings, Chief of Staff Kang offered his resignation to take comprehensive responsibility as the Chief of Staff assisting the President.”
The Blue House explained that this resignation is not so much about taking responsibility for specific personnel failures or controversies over individual policies, but rather about assuming responsibility for the recent decline in approval ratings and the overall management of state affairs. Although Chief of Staff Kang serves as the chair of the Blue House Personnel Committee and oversees the vetting and recommendation of key appointments, the Blue House drew a line against interpreting this resignation as limited to personnel issues.
At a press conference on the 18th, President Lee reflected on his shortcomings, acknowledging a lack of consideration, sensitivity, and communication, as well as a failure to sufficiently address the backlash from those harmed by his policies. In a survey released by Gallup Korea on the 18th, President Lee’s approval rating for job performance hit a post-inauguration low of 37%, while his disapproval rating reached a high of 56%. Real estate policy and personnel issues were cited most frequently as reasons for the disapproval.
The Blue House confirmed only that Chief of Staff Kang had tendered his resignation that morning but remained tight-lipped, stating that the President’s reaction and whether to accept the resignation were matters for the President to decide. It was reported that it had not yet been decided whether Chief of Staff Kang would see off the President as he departed for the UN General Assembly.
If Chief Kang’s resignation is accepted, the positions of both Policy Chief and Chief of Staff will become vacant simultaneously. Previously, there had been discussions both inside and outside political circles regarding a plan to replace all three chiefs—the Chief of Staff, the Policy Chief, and the National Security Advisor. Some observers suggest that Chief Kang’s resignation could serve as a signal for a broad reshuffle of the Blue House staff.
However, regarding rumors that National Security Advisor Wi Seong-rak has also tendered his resignation, the Blue House has cautioned against overinterpretation, stating that it has no information to confirm beyond the relevant media reports. Some observers note that replacing the National Security Advisor immediately would be a burden, given the mounting diplomatic and security issues, such as strategic investment negotiations with the U.S., the response to the Strait of Hormuz, and the possibility of North Korea-U.S. dialogue.
There is also a strong need to maintain continuity in the national security leadership while President Lee’s summit diplomacy schedule—including his attendance at the UN General Assembly—continues. Accordingly, if Director Kang’s resignation is accepted, a partial reshuffle—in which the Chief of Staff and the Director of Policy are appointed simultaneously while the Director of National Security remains in office—is being discussed as a realistic option.