By Kang Hyun-kyung
Staff Reporter
Leaders of the governing Grand National Party (GNP) renewed their attack on KBS President Jung Yun-joo, Thursday, calling for his resignation.
Cheong Wa Dae joined in the move to pressure key post holders appointed by former President Roh Moo-hyun to resign voluntarily.
The presidential office asked two CEOs at government controlled entities, Oh Jee-chul of the Korea Tourism Organization, and Jung Soon-kyun of the Korea Broadcast Advertising Corporation, not to attend a policy briefing that officials of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism are scheduled to give to President Lee Myung-bak today.
Rep. Shim Jae-chul of the GNP said KBS President Jung was on the top of the public firm leaders blacklist.
``The majority of the public voted for then-GNP candidate Lee in December's presidential election,'' Shim said. ``This implies more people voted against the then-governing party candidate and therefore those who were appointed by former President Roh should have resigned their positions after the election.''
Roh named Jung as KBS president in 2003 and his tenure was renewed in 2006.
He has refused to consider leaving the key broadcasting company post and made clear he will stay in office until late 2009 when his second-term ends.
Facing Jung's resistance, GNP lawmakers and Cabinet ministers joined forces in attacking the KBS president, as well as key leaders of public firms in the fields of culture and art.
Culture, Sports and Tourism Minister Yu In-chon said, ``It is fair to say that key public post holders in this industry appointed by former President Roh should leave.''
Yu's remarks were made a day after GNP floor leader Ahn Sang-soo urged them to step down at a party meeting.
The joint attack prompted many to question why Jung and culture and art industry figures have become targets.
GNP lawmaker Joo Sung-young said on radio program that two reasons are behind the governing party's demand.
``Those who are involved in the culture and art industry tend to give considerable influence to the public's values system,'' he said.
Joo's remarks indicated that the promotion of particular issues by these people could have a large impact on public perception and this especially matters due to the upcoming National Assembly elections on April 9.
The GNP lawmaker added: ``The majority of these posts were filled with figures who lost elections and President Roh placed them in public office.'' He added it is time to fix this malpractice.
But lawmakers of the main opposition United Democratic Party (UDP) made clear their opposition to the governing party's demand.
UDP Spokesman Yoo Jong-phil said culture and art are the areas where political power should not attempt to wield its muscle.
He urged the GNP and Cabinet Minister Yu to apologize for their ``irrational demands.''
Rep. Im Jong-seok of the liberal party said conservative GNP leaders should not ask those figures to resign because their job security was guaranteed by law regardless of a change in government.