The Korea Times
amn_close.png
amn_bl.png
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
amn_bl.png
Business
  • Tech
  • Bio
  • Companies
amn_bl.png
Finance
  • Companies
  • Economy
  • Markets
  • Cryptocurrency
amn_bl.png
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to President
  • Letter to the Editor
amn_bl.png
Lifestyle
  • Travel & Food
  • Trends
  • People & Events
  • Books
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
amn_bl.png
Entertainment & Arts
  • K-pop
  • Films
  • Shows & Dramas
  • Music
  • Theater & Others
amn_bl.png
Sports
amn_bl.png
World
  • SCMP
  • Asia
amn_bl.png
Video
  • Korean Storytellers
  • POPKORN
  • Culture
  • People
  • News
amn_bl.png
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
amn_NK.png amn_DR.png amn_LK.png amn_LE.png
  • bt_fb_on_2022.svgbt_fb_over_2022.svg
  • bt_twitter_on_2022.svgbt_twitter_over_2022.svg
  • bt_youtube_on_2022.svgbt_youtube_over_2022.svg
  • bt_instagram_on_2022.svgbt_instagram_over_2022.svg
The Korea Times
amn_close.png
amn_bl.png
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
amn_bl.png
Business
  • Tech
  • Bio
  • Companies
amn_bl.png
Finance
  • Companies
  • Economy
  • Markets
  • Cryptocurrency
amn_bl.png
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to President
  • Letter to the Editor
amn_bl.png
Lifestyle
  • Travel & Food
  • Trends
  • People & Events
  • Books
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
amn_bl.png
Entertainment & Arts
  • K-pop
  • Films
  • Shows & Dramas
  • Music
  • Theater & Others
amn_bl.png
Sports
amn_bl.png
World
  • SCMP
  • Asia
amn_bl.png
Video
  • Korean Storytellers
  • POPKORN
  • Culture
  • People
  • News
amn_bl.png
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
amn_NK.png amn_DR.png amn_LK.png amn_LE.png
  • bt_fb_on_2022.svgbt_fb_over_2022.svg
  • bt_twitter_on_2022.svgbt_twitter_over_2022.svg
  • bt_youtube_on_2022.svgbt_youtube_over_2022.svg
  • bt_instagram_on_2022.svgbt_instagram_over_2022.svg
  • Login
  • Register
  • Login
  • Register
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • all menu
  • Login
  • Subscribe
  • Photos
  • Video
  • World
  • Sports
  • Opinion
  • Entertainment & Art
  • Lifestyle
  • Finance
  • Business
  • National
  • North Korea
  • 1

    Chinese hackers attack 12 Korean academic institutions: KISA

  • 3

    Homeless women struggle to find place to spend night

  • 5

    From period to action: different genre series set for February

  • 7

    More than dozen chaebol scions indicted on alleged drug use

  • 9

    Cold wave warnings issued across Korea; Seoul witnesses coldest day

  • 11

    Netmarble debuts virtual girl group MAVE:

  • 13

    Korea's move to cut subsidies on imported EVs faces backlash

  • 15

    ANALYSISChina's reopening to help ease inventory woes

  • 17

    Major Korean banks' overseas branches sanctioned by foreign authorities

  • 19

    People attempt to cut surging heating costs with creative solutions

  • 2

    Koreans stunned by spike in heating costs

  • 4

    Heavy snow hits Seoul, surrounding areas

  • 6

    Chinese hackers threaten to attack S. Korean cybersecurity watchdog

  • 8

    Campaign launched to respect multicultural families, foreign nationals

  • 10

    Why Korea imports so much kimchi from China

  • 12

    Center offers free STI testing to foreign residents of Korea

  • 14

    Cargo ship carrying 22 sinks off Jeju, 14 rescued but 9 unconscious

  • 16

    Lawmaker pushes for bill requiring women to join civil defense training

  • 18

    Seoul subway, bus fares to rise by 300 or 400 won

  • 20

    Yoon calls for adjusting regulatory, labor systems to global standards

Close scrollclosebutton

Close for 24 hours

Open
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • all menu
  • Login
  • Subscribe
  • Photos
  • Video
  • World
  • Sports
  • Opinion
  • Entertainment & Art
  • Lifestyle
  • Finance
  • Business
  • National
  • North Korea
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
Fri, January 27, 2023 | 16:15
-------------------------
Chief auditor nominee quits
Posted : 2011-01-12 17:36
Updated : 2011-01-12 17:36
Print PreviewPrint Preview
Font Size UpFont Size Up
Font Size DownFont Size Down
  • facebook
  • twitter
  • kakaolink
  • whatsapp
  • reddit
  • mailto
  • link

Chung Tong-ki, nominee for chief state auditor, walks away after expressing his intention to withdraw his nomination during a press conference at a Financial Supervisory Service building in Seoul, Wednesday.
/ Korea Times photo by Kim Joo-young

President Lee’s grip on state affairs could weaken

By Na Jeong-ju

Chung Tong-ki, President Lee Myung-bak’s nominee for chief state auditor, gave up his nomination Wednesday, a few days after the leadership of the ruling Grand National Party (GNP) called for his immediate withdrawal, questioning his ethical qualifications.

Chung’s departure came 12 days after he was named chairman-designate of the Board of Audit and Inspection in a surprise reshuffle of the Cabinet, presidential staff and top posts at some major government agencies.

Observers say the GNP’s “revolt” against the conservative leader demonstrates a looming rift between Cheong Wa Dae and the governing party, and Lee’s weakening grip on state affairs with his single five-year term scheduled to end in early 2013.

The presidential office has come under pressure to take responsibility for a loophole in its system of screening the qualifications of candidates for top government positions.

“I apologize for creating confusion,” the 58-year-old former prosecutor told reporters, announcing his withdrawal. “I have a lot to say about what happened to me, but I believe there will be another opportunity to explain it. I’m sorry.”

Hong Sang-pyo, senior presidential secretary for public relations, said Lee, watching Chung’s press conference on TV with his aides, expressed regret over his resignation.

“The President said it was regretful that Chung has stepped down. Lee didn’t say much about him,” the secretary told reporters.

A Cheong Wa Dae spokesman said a new nominee for the chief auditor will be announced soon, without commenting on Chung’s case.

The low-key reaction by the presidential office reflects concerns that the discord inside the ruling camp could develop into an ugly power struggle among conservatives, dealing a setback to Lee’s efforts to move his reform plans forward.

As the political community gears up for the parliamentary and presidential elections, both slated for next year, the ruling party is expected to make attempts to reshape its relations with Lee’s office down the road.

Since his nomination, Chung had come under heavy fire for receiving a monthly salary of about 100 million won ($89,500) while working for a Seoul-based law firm for seven months in 2008, after serving briefly on Lee’s presidential transition team.

Public sentiment worsened over his large paycheck with opposition parties claiming that he “misused” his position and power for financial gain.

As a prosecutor, Chung led a team investigating a high-profile financial scam that involved Lee during the 2007 presidential campaign. The prosecution cleared Lee of any charges, and Lee won the election later in the year despite the scandal.

Chung was also suspected of having been behind the illegal surveillance of citizens critical of the government when he served as senior presidential secretary for civil affairs from June 2008 to July 2009.

The GNP publicly demanded Chung’s withdrawal on Monday following a meeting of the decision-making Supreme Council. Cheong Wa Dae hit back immediately, criticizing the GNP for its failure to consult with the presidential office in advance over Chung’s fate.



정동기 감사원장직 후보 사퇴

정동기 감사원장 후보자가 12일 후보자 지위에서 사퇴했다.

그의 후보직 사퇴는 지난해 31일 내정 이후 12일만이다.

청와대는 정후보자가 여론에 떠밀려 사퇴하자 내심 당혹감을 감추지 못하면서도 이로 인한 파장을 최소화하는데 주력하고 있다. 일부에서는 이명박 대통령의 국정 장악력 약화될 것을 우려하고 있다.

청와대는 특히 여당 지도부가 청와대와 사전조율 없이 일방적으로 자진사퇴를 요구하고 당청간 갈등을 빚은 뒤 정 후보자가 결국 사퇴한 모양새가 외형상으로는 집권 말기 권력누수 현상(레임덕)으로 비쳐질 수 있다는 점을 염려하고 있다.
Emailjj@koreatimes.co.kr Article ListMore articles by this reporter
 
wooribank
Top 10 Stories
1Koreans stunned by spike in heating costsKoreans stunned by spike in heating costs
2Homeless women struggle to find place to spend night Homeless women struggle to find place to spend night
3People attempt to cut surging heating costs with creative solutions People attempt to cut surging heating costs with creative solutions
4Inflation weighs on households Inflation weighs on households
5Netflix series 'The Glory' draws focus to real school bullying Netflix series 'The Glory' draws focus to real school bullying
6'I was a stock investment addict': psychiatrist seeks to help addicted people through his book 'I was a stock investment addict': psychiatrist seeks to help addicted people through his book
7[INTERVIEW] Partnerships with Korean companies help Delta Air Lines' post-pandemic recovery INTERVIEWPartnerships with Korean companies help Delta Air Lines' post-pandemic recovery
8Korea's GDP shrinks 0.4% in Q4, 1st contraction in 10 quarters Korea's GDP shrinks 0.4% in Q4, 1st contraction in 10 quarters
9Gov't to double subsidies for vulnerable households as energy bills soar Gov't to double subsidies for vulnerable households as energy bills soar
10S. Korea to increase joint air defense exercises following N. Korean drone incursions S. Korea to increase joint air defense exercises following N. Korean drone incursions
Top 5 Entertainment News
1From period to action: different genre series set for FebruaryFrom period to action: different genre series set for February
2Miguel Chevalier's psychedelic digital universe takes audience participation to next level Miguel Chevalier's psychedelic digital universe takes audience participation to next level
3Shunsuke Michieda overwhelmed by Korean fans' support for his coming-of-age film Shunsuke Michieda overwhelmed by Korean fans' support for his coming-of-age film
4Yun Hyong-keun's hanji works come under spotlight in Paris for first timeYun Hyong-keun's hanji works come under spotlight in Paris for first time
5Kim Hyun-joo says humanity is at heart of action film 'Jung_E' Kim Hyun-joo says humanity is at heart of action film 'Jung_E'
DARKROOM
  • Nepal plane crash

    Nepal plane crash

  • Brazil capital uprising

    Brazil capital uprising

  • Happy New Year 2023

    Happy New Year 2023

  • World Cup 2022 Final - Argentina vs France

    World Cup 2022 Final - Argentina vs France

  • World Cup 2022 France vs Morocco

    World Cup 2022 France vs Morocco

wooribank
CEO & Publisher : Oh Young-jin
Digital News Email : webmaster@koreatimes.co.kr
Tel : 02-724-2114
Online newspaper registration No : 서울,아52844
Date of registration : 2020.02.05
Masthead : The Korea Times
Copyright © koreatimes.co.kr. All rights reserved.
  • About Us
  • Introduction
  • History
  • Contact Us
  • Products & Services
  • Subscribe
  • E-paper
  • RSS Service
  • Content Sales
  • Site Map
  • Policy
  • Code of Ethics
  • Ombudsman
  • Privacy Statement
  • Terms of Service
  • Copyright Policy
  • Family Site
  • Hankook Ilbo
  • Dongwha Group