Presidential chief of staff offers to resign over bungled Cabinet nominations

Presidential chief of staff Kang Hoon-sik offered to resign, Monday, taking responsibility for a string of bungled Cabinet nominations that has fueled criticism of President Lee Jae Myung’s personnel vetting system. Kang conveyed his intention to step down to Lee earlier in the day, senior presidential secretary for public relations Sung Ki-hong said during a briefing. "[In Friday's press conference] the president said multiple times that his shortcomings have brought negative public views on policies ... As the chief of staff, he is taking comprehensive responsibility so he tendered his resignation," a Cheong Wa Dae official said. If Lee accepts Kang’s resignation, two of Cheong Wa Dae’s three top secretary-level posts would be vacant, as former policy chief Kim Yong-beom stepped down earlier this month. At a meeting with senior aides shortly after Sung's briefing, Lee said he has not decided whether to accept the resignation. "Cheong Wa Dae officials have been working hard. Some of them have health problems as they work day and night. My chief of staff is moving to call it a day,"