By Yi Whan-woo
President Park Geun-hye nomination of Ahn Dae-hee as the new prime minister comes from a desperate bid to retain public confidence in the wake of the Sewol ferry disaster.
Experts say Park chose the former Supreme Court justice to woo voter support in the run-up to the June 4 local elections. They also said Park's decision is aimed at winning support from the opposition parties for her forthcoming ministerial reshuffle, which needs National Assembly approval.
"Park made it clear that government officials connected to the sinking of the ferry Sewol should pay the price for their lack of competence and leave," said Bae Jong-chan, the chief director at Research & Research, a pollster specialized in political surveys.
If he is endorsed at a National Assembly confirmation hearing, Ahn, 59, will replace Chung Hong-won who has already offered to resign taking responsibility for the government's reaction to the disaster.
"The approval rating of the President has plunged since the tragedy, and Ahn's clean image as a former Supreme Court justice will be helpful for her in easing public discontent toward her ahead of the local elections," Bae said.
He added Ahn's career background as a non-politician will convince people to trust the government in its effort to root out corruption in officialdom.
Another expert echoed a similar view.
"Ahn is seen as a man of integrity and I'd say the President made a good choice in that sense," said Shin Yul, a professor in the department of political science at Myongji University.
Experts said Ahn's career as a prosecutor is expected to boost the government's plan for a ministerial reshuffle.
They also cited his confrontation with then-presidential candidate Park during the election campaign in December 2012. As the head of the special committee for political reform in Park's election camp, Ahn opposed her move to scrap the central investigation unit of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, an elite investigation team which handles large corruption cases.
"Prosecutors are seen a group of people who project their tasks aggressively and Ahn is expected to carry out government reform with speed and efficiency," said Choi Chang-ryul, a politics professor at Yongin University.
Bae agreed with Choi, saying, "The public will be convinced that he's upright, as seen from his confrontation against a powerful figure such as Park during the presidential election."
"The opposition parties are unlikely to raise objections to Park's nomination of Ahn," Shin said.
"It is predicted the opposition parties will collaborate with Ahn in terms of the ministerial reshuffle," Choi said.
President Park Geun-hye nomination of Ahn Dae-hee as the new prime minister comes from a desperate bid to retain public confidence in the wake of the Sewol ferry disaster.
Experts say Park chose the former Supreme Court justice to woo voter support in the run-up to the June 4 local elections. They also said Park's decision is aimed at winning support from the opposition parties for her forthcoming ministerial reshuffle, which needs National Assembly approval.
"Park made it clear that government officials connected to the sinking of the ferry Sewol should pay the price for their lack of competence and leave," said Bae Jong-chan, the chief director at Research & Research, a pollster specialized in political surveys.
If he is endorsed at a National Assembly confirmation hearing, Ahn, 59, will replace Chung Hong-won who has already offered to resign taking responsibility for the government's reaction to the disaster.
"The approval rating of the President has plunged since the tragedy, and Ahn's clean image as a former Supreme Court justice will be helpful for her in easing public discontent toward her ahead of the local elections," Bae said.
He added Ahn's career background as a non-politician will convince people to trust the government in its effort to root out corruption in officialdom.
Another expert echoed a similar view.
"Ahn is seen as a man of integrity and I'd say the President made a good choice in that sense," said Shin Yul, a professor in the department of political science at Myongji University.
Experts said Ahn's career as a prosecutor is expected to boost the government's plan for a ministerial reshuffle.
They also cited his confrontation with then-presidential candidate Park during the election campaign in December 2012. As the head of the special committee for political reform in Park's election camp, Ahn opposed her move to scrap the central investigation unit of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, an elite investigation team which handles large corruption cases.
"Prosecutors are seen a group of people who project their tasks aggressively and Ahn is expected to carry out government reform with speed and efficiency," said Choi Chang-ryul, a politics professor at Yongin University.
Bae agreed with Choi, saying, "The public will be convinced that he's upright, as seen from his confrontation against a powerful figure such as Park during the presidential election."
"The opposition parties are unlikely to raise objections to Park's nomination of Ahn," Shin said.
"It is predicted the opposition parties will collaborate with Ahn in terms of the ministerial reshuffle," Choi said.
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