Politics · South Korea · 2 hrs ago
Lee Jae Myung appoints Lim Kwang-hyun as presidential chief of staff
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung appointed Lim Kwang-hyun as his new chief of staff on 14 October.
Lim was head of the National Tax Service and previously served as a lawmaker for the ruling Democratic Party.
He replaces Kang Hoon-sik, who offered to resign 23 days earlier amid falling approval ratings and controversy over two Cabinet nominees who later withdrew.
Kang said Lim’s experience in government and the National Assembly would help bring people’s views into government and improve cooperation with the ruling party.
Lim said he would oversee the presidential office’s work and pursue visible improvements in people’s lives.
The appointment comes as Lee’s administration enters its middle period, with pressure to deliver on policy and rebuild public trust.
Lim must also strengthen hiring checks and coordinate political work, while opposition figures have questioned whether his background suits the role.
President Lee Jae Myung appointed National Tax Service chief Lim Kwang-hyun as his new chief of staff on Oct. 14.
Lim succeeds Kang Hoon-sik, who announced the appointment after offering to resign.
Kang said Lim’s experience in government and the National Assembly made him suited to improve cooperation and advance the administration’s work.
Lim said he would take responsibility for the presidential office’s work and focus on improving people’s livelihoods.
The main opposition People Power Party criticized the appointment, questioning Lim’s experience and the administration’s judgment.
- Who
- President Lee Jae Myung appointed Lim Kwang-hyun, the National Tax Service chief, as chief of staff.
- What
- Lim will replace Kang Hoon-sik as head of the presidential office.
- When
- Oct. 14, 2026.
- Where
- Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul.
- Why
- Kang described Lim as an experienced administrator and politician suited to reflect public views and speed up the administration’s work. Lee’s office did not state a separate reason.
The Lee administration
People Power Party
Lim’s suitability
The Lee administration
Kang said Lim’s experience in the National Assembly and government made him suited to incorporate people’s views and advance state affairs.
People Power Party
Party floor leader Jeong Jeom-sik questioned whether Lim had the ability to resolve broad government problems, given his career was largely in tax administration.
The choice of appointment
The Lee administration
The administration presented Lim as an experienced economic official and politician.
People Power Party
Jeong called the appointment unimaginable in a serious political situation and said it showed a lack of awareness of the government’s crisis.
Kang Hoon-sik announced his intention to resign, according to Hankyoreh.
Kang announced that Lim Kwang-hyun would succeed him as chief of staff.
Lee welcomed Lim and thanked Kang in a post on X, according to Hankyoreh.
- Appointment
- Lim Kwang-hyun named presidential chief of staff
- Previous post
- National Tax Service chief
- Predecessor
- Kang Hoon-sik
- Appointment date
- Oct. 14, 2026
- Prior elected office
- Democratic Party proportional-representation lawmaker elected in 2024
7 sources
[사설]임광현호 대통령 비서실, 심기일전해 난맥 정리하고 제 역할해야
이 대통령 “임광현, ‘훈식이형’ 이상 해내실 것…강훈식 수고 많으셨다”
국힘, 임광현 비서실장 임명에 "상상도 못 해‥위기인식 부재"
(LEAD) Lee appoints tax agency chief as new presidential chief of staff
South Korea's Lee names tax chief as new presidential chief of staff
What people are saying
With experience across the National Assembly and government, he is the right person to more broadly incorporate the people's voices into the running of state affairs and speed up state achievements through cooperation between the ruling party, government and Cheong Wa Dae
As the top official responsible for assisting the president, I will take responsibility for the overall work of Cheong Wa Dae and give my all to improving people's livelihoods
This appointment shows there is no awareness at all of the crisis in state affairs
I believe and expect that Lim Kwang-hyun will do as much as Hoon-sik hyung, or even more