Lee Ki-in, Secretary General of the Reform New Party / Photo: Newsis,
Amidst the announcement that Kim Jin-wook, a close associate of President Lee Jae-myung and former chief of staff of the Democratic Party leader’s office, who was set to be appointed as the Secretary for Political Cooperation in the Prime Minister’s Office, voluntarily withdrew his candidacy on the day of the announcement, Lee Ki-in, Secretary General of the Reform New Party, claimed on the 8th, “Due to Lee Jae-myung’s government making appointments based on personal connections, a person involved with a ‘violent organization’ was nearly seated in a high position.”
On this day, the Secretary General stated on his Facebook regarding Kim Jin-wook’s voluntary withdrawal of his appointment intention, “I believe that even if someone has a criminal record, a second chance should be given to everyone, but a public appointment is a different matter.”
He elaborated, “Mr. Kim Jin-wook has a past record of being involved in an incident where he was part of forcibly taking over the security service contract for an officetel with a criminal gang from Seongnam, using a crowbar to break open an iron door and assaulting a security guard. He was released on a suspended sentence after being detained.”
Furthermore, he expressed concern by stating, “Although the appointment has been canceled, it is worrisome and regrettable that it was a voluntary withdrawal, not a decision by the Prime Minister.”
The Prime Minister’s Office announced late on the 7th through a notice that “Secretary Kim Jin-wook, who was scheduled to be appointed on the 8th, voluntarily withdrew his intention for personal reasons, and thus the appointment was not carried out.” The specific reasons for his withdrawal have not been disclosed.
Born in Seoul in 1974, Kim graduated from Jamsil High School and Seoul Digital University’s Department of Business Administration. During President Lee’s tenure as the Mayor of Seongnam City, Kim served as his executive secretary and was chosen as the Protocol Secretary when Lee became the Governor of Gyeonggi Province. During the time Lee was the Democratic Party leader, Kim was hired as a department head-level party officer in the leader’s office. In the last presidential election, he served as the Vice Chairman of the Basic Social Committee directly reporting to the Democratic Party’s 21st presidential candidate.
Kim had already received presidential approval for his appointment set for the 8th, but due to his voluntary withdrawal, the actual appointment did not occur.