Kang Hoon-sik, the presidential chief of staff, held a briefing at the Blue House on the 11th and, regarding the recommendation of candidates for the second comprehensive special counsel, said, "President Lee Jae-myung has never been enraged," adding, "Some reports used the word 'enraged,' which is puzzling, but there has been no enragement, and it is not a style prone to enragement."
Regarding reports that the Blue House senior secretary for civil affairs conveyed a negative opinion about a figure recommended by the Democratic Party of Korea among the candidates for the second comprehensive special counsel, Kang said, "It is not easy to speak to the facts of presidential personnel matters," adding, "However, regarding the party's recommended figure, I note that proceedings occur after notification is received."
On the merger of the Democratic Party of Korea and the Rebuilding Korea Party, he drew a line, saying, "It is a matter for the two parties to decide, and the Blue House has no separate position."
Earlier, Kang Deuk-gu, a supreme council member of the Democratic Party of Korea, posted on Facebook a message to the effect that President Lee supported a merger with the Rebuilding Korea Party, then deleted it, prompting controversy. Kang, the supreme council member, said, "It was an internal mistake in the lawmaker's office," adding, "I sincerely apologize for causing misunderstanding and trouble with a post that was not factual."
Kang said, "On integration, it has long been the president's belief, but the president and the Blue House aides are hard-pressed to handle reviving the economy and people's livelihoods, diplomacy, the real estate issue, and the stock market issue," adding, "When speaking to the intentions of the Blue House or the president, please exercise caution."