Presidential Chief of Policy Appointed

President Roh Moo-hyun appointed Commissioner Kim Byung-joon, the head of the Presidential Committee on Government Innovation and Decentralization, as the new Presidential Chief of Policy on June 11.

As for the new commissioner of the Presidential Committee on Government Innovation and Decentralization, Professor Yoon Sung-shik of Korea University, who failed to win the approval of his nomination as a candidate for the head of the Board of Audit and Inspection, was appointed. Professor Moon Jung-in of Yonsei University was appointed as the new commissioner of the Committee on the Era of Northeast Asia.

The former Presidential Chief of Policy Park Bong-heum, who is hospitalized for a severe illness, submitted his resignation to Chief Secretary Kim Woo-shik as he saw it difficult to carry out any of his tasks as the chief.

Cheong Wa Dae Spokesman Yoon Tae-young also said that Commissioner Bae Soon-hoon of the Committee on Northeast Asian Business Hub, the antecedent to the Committee on the Era of Northeast Asia, also announced his resignation as the organization is going through a face lift.

Spokesman Yoon said, “The former Chief of Policy was scheduled to leave the hospital on June 12 as his illness improved quickly, but the doctor advised some time off to recuperate,” and added, “A new chief is appointed as it cannot be left vacant for so long because the duties of Presidential Chief of Policy is of considerable gravity.”

Jung-Hun Kim jnghn@donga.com