President Yoon Suk Yeol presides over an emergency meeting to discuss the economic and security impact of heightened tensions in the Middle East following Iran's missile strikes against Israel, at the presidential office in Seoul, Sunday. It was his first public appearance since Wednesday's general elections, during which the ruling People Power Party suffered a crushing defeat. Courtesy of presidential office

President Yoon Suk Yeol seems to be contemplating his picks to replace key aides, including the prime minister and presidential chief of staff.

These appointments will be a crucial indicator of how he addresses the perceived failures of his administration, such as not listening attentively to the public and being unable to work together with the opposition bloc, after the ruling People Power Party's (PPP) crushing defeat in Wednesday's general elections.

Yonhap News Agency reported Sunday that the presidential office is still searching for candidates for the next prime minister and presidential chief of staff, adding that it needs some time to find the perfect fit for both positions.

The day after the PPP's significant setback in the April 10 general elections, in which it secured just 108 seats in the 300-member National Assembly, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo and several high-ranking presidential secretaries, including chief of staff Lee Kwan-sup, offered to step down, signaling the prospect of a wide-ranging reshuffle.

It is unclear if the reshuffle process will be swift, as the presidential office is expected to undergo a thorough vetting process for new candidates, especially for the prime minister post whose appointment requires National Assembly approval. Selecting controversial candidates could lead to intensified attacks by the opposition and worsen public sentiment toward the government and the ruling party.

The main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) has already criticized some of the rumored candidates to replace Han and Lee.

In the last few days, candidates mentioned for either the prime minister or chief of staff position include Kim Han-gil, chairman of the Presidential Committee of National Cohesion, Rep. Kwon Young-se, a former unification minister, and Rep. Joo Ho-young, a PPP heavyweight who secured his sixth term in Wednesday's elections.

Won Hee-ryong, former land and transport minister, who ran for a seat representing the Gyeyang-B constituency in Incheon in the April 10 general elections, speaks to reporters at his office in the district, Wednesday. Yonhap

Candidates for the chief of staff post included Won Hee-ryong, the former land and transport minister who lost in the latest elections, as well as PPP bigwigs Reps. Chung Jin-suk and Chang Je-won. Chung failed to secure a sixth term last week, while Chang, one of the closest confidants of the president, did not run in the elections.

"Through the general elections, people have put the brakes on the obstinacy and tyranny of the Yoon Suk Yeol administration, demanding that it engage in dialogue with the opposition and improve communication with the public ... But if we look at the individuals rumored to succeed the roles, it raises doubts about whether the president is seriously taking into account the public's sentiment," DPK spokesperson Kwon Chil-seung said during a press conference, Saturday.

Political observers also pointed out that the rumored candidates are primarily from Yoon's inner circle, suggesting that the presidential office should pay more attention to individuals outside this sphere and for him to broaden his scope so as to include more moderate figures.

"A significant factor contributing to the ruling party's loss in the general elections is the public's dissatisfaction with the government's unilateral decision-making process and ineffective public outreach, along with controversies regarding personnel appointments," political commentator Rhee Jong-hoon said.

"The public has sent a clear message urging Yoon to address these issues, so I think he needs to broaden his limited talent pool."

Political commentator Park Sang-byeong said that appointing politicians who lost in Wednesday's elections, like former Land Minister Won, as Yoon's aide, could be a major policy misstep.

"Regardless of his capabilities as a politician, Won failed to win public support in the elections. Appointing him would certainly not be a demonstration that the president is attentive to the people's voices," Park said.

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo leaves the Government Complex Seoul, Thursday, after he expressed his intention to resign following the ruling People Power Party's crushing defeat in the general elections. Yonhap

Pundits also highlighted the importance of selecting aides who can offer candid advice to Yoon, even if it means disagreeing with the president at some point.

"The president does not need more yes men in his office. What he truly needs, especially for the chief of staff role, is someone who can offer candid feedback and communicate effectively with opposition lawmakers when necessary," Park said.

In this regard, Yoo Seong-min, a former four-term PPP lawmaker, has also been mentioned as a suitable candidate for the chief of staff role. Yoo is a conservative heavyweight who has been critical of the president and the pro-Yoon faction in the ruling party.