(LEAD) Lee appoints tax agency chief as new presidential chief of staff

President Lee Jae Myung appointed the head of the National Tax Service, Lim Kwang-hyun, as his new chief of staff on Wednesday, according to his office. Lim succeeded outgoing chief of staff Kang Hoon-sik, who had recently offered to resign due to declining approval ratings and controversy surrounding two Cabinet nominees who ultimately withdrew.

Kang described Lim as a former economic official-turned-politician with a wealth of administrative experience and political acumen. He stated that Lim's extensive experience in various positions at the NTS, combined with his political acumen, made him the ideal candidate to integrate public input into state affairs and accelerate progress through cooperation among the ruling party, government, and Cheong Wa Dae.

Prior to his appointment as NTS chief in 2025, Lim served in multiple roles within the NTS. He relinquished his parliamentary seat to assume his current position. Lim accompanied Kang during the press briefing at Cheong Wa Dae.