Jeong Eul-ho, a Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker, will begin serving as the new presidential political affairs secretary starting Tuesday.
A key ruling party official said Monday that "Rep. Jeong is scheduled to start work as political affairs secretary on Tuesday," adding that "resignation during a parliamentary session is realistically difficult, so the procedures will proceed after the session concludes on Monday."
Rep. Jeong, who hails from Gochang in North Jeolla Province, graduated from Chung-Ang University with a degree in business administration before starting his political career as a Democratic Party official. When President Lee Jae-myung served as party leader, Jeong oversaw party operations as director of general affairs coordination. During the last presidential election, he served as chief of staff to the candidate's spouse on the campaign committee, closely attending to First Lady Kim Hye-kyung.
Observers suggest the presidential office may have deployed a hands-on figure well-versed in party affairs to strengthen communication with the National Assembly and the ruling party. With the importance of political coordination growing amid various reform legislation and budget and personnel issues, Rep. Jeong is expected to play a significant role.