The resignation of Kim Yong-beom, chief of policy at the Presidential Office, was accepted on September 1. Kim Jeong-gwan, Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy; Yoon Chang-ryeol, former head of the Office for Government Policy Coordination; and Lee Ho-seung, former senior presidential policy secretary, have been mentioned as possible successors, but the process remains at the candidate-review stage.
Key Changes
Kim Yong-beom offered his resignation on August 31, 2026, and President Lee Jae Myung accepted it on September 1. In his farewell remarks on September 1, Kim said that although there was still much work to do, it was time for him to step aside and for the next people to take on their share.
The resignation has been accepted, but the appointment of a successor has not yet been finalized.
Current Status
Media reports have mentioned Kim Jeong-gwan, Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy; Yoon Chang-ryeol, former head of the Office for Government Policy Coordination; and Lee Ho-seung, former senior presidential policy secretary, as candidates for the next chief of policy. Reports indicate that the candidates are being reviewed broadly based on their ability to respond to issues including semiconductors, physical AI, AI data centers, Korea-U.S. trade negotiations, and real estate policy.
As of the time of review, no confirmed announcement of a successor’s appointment had been identified from the Presidential Office. The office said it plans to pursue follow-up personnel appointments so that government operations are not disrupted by the replacement taking place without a successor appointment.
Impact
The confirmed change is that the chief of policy has been replaced while follow-up personnel appointments are being reviewed at the same time. However, based on the available information, it is difficult to conclude that the appointment of any particular candidate or this replacement will directly lead to changes in individual policies.
The following points can currently be confirmed about the reported successor candidates:
- Kim Jeong-gwan, Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy, has been mentioned as a candidate.
- Yoon Chang-ryeol, former head of the Office for Government Policy Coordination, has been mentioned as a candidate.
- Lee Ho-seung, former senior presidential policy secretary, has been mentioned as a candidate.
Next Checkpoint
The next items to verify are the Presidential Office’s official announcement of a successor and the details of follow-up personnel appointments. Reports about the candidate pool should be distinguished from an official designation or appointment announcement, and the current status should be reviewed again once the Presidential Office issues a follow-up briefing.
Related reports can be checked at the following sources.
- [Yonhap News: Kim Yong-beom: “There is much to do, but it is time to step aside and let the next person do their part”](https://www.yna.co.kr/view/AKR20260901191600001) — Checked at 2026-09-02 01:25 UTC
- [Newspim: Policy Chief Kim Yong-beom resigns after one year and three months; President Lee accepts resignation](https://web3.newspim.com/news/view/20260901000197) — Checked at 2026-09-02 01:25 UTC
- [Donga Ilbo: Kim Jeong-gwan, Yoon Chang-ryeol, Lee Ho-seung, and others mentioned for next presidential policy chief](https://www.donga.com/news/Politics/article/all/20260902/134587284/2) — Checked at 2026-09-02 01:25 UTC
- [Maeil Business Newspaper: Kim Yong-beom makes a difficult personnel decision amid sharp approval-rating decline; real estate tax increases also slowed](https://www.mk.co.kr/news/politics/12141612) — Checked at 2026-09-02 01:25 UTC