On the afternoon of Sept. 21 local time, presidential secretariat chief Kang
Hoon-sik told President Lee Jae-myung he wished to resign. South Korean analysts
link the move to controversy over Lee's recent personnel reshuffle. At a Sept.
18 press conference Lee apologized for falling approval and the reshuffle after
reporters raised questions about lax vetting of appointments. After the
briefing, justice minister nominee Kim Seung-won withdrew, saying he did not
want to be a burden on Lee's administration; Lee's earlier nomination of
lawmaker Yong Hye-in for minister of gender equality and family also drew
criticism.
