 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.
