Unification minister nominee faces challenges to capitalize on his expertise

By Yi Whan-woo

Hong Yong-pyo

Hong Yong-pyo, the nominee for unification minister, faces many challenges to capitalize on his expertise as a scholar and presidential secretary on inter-Korean affairs to manage the ministry effectively.

Hong, 51, is set to replace Ryoo Kihl-jae and become the country’s point man on North Korea policies once he passes a National Assembly confirmation hearing, which is expected to take place by March 11 at the latest.

His prospective appointment has raised questions over his capability to take a strong grip over the ministry, however.

President Park Geun-hye’s appointment of Hong on Feb. 17 was considered surprising given the hierarchical practice prevalent in bureaucratic society.

It has been the norm among bureaucrats that a high-ranking official serve as a vice minister before becoming a minister.

Hong served as the presidential secretary for unification, a rank which is below vice-minister or an equivalent level, from March 2013.

He worked as an official on diplomacy, national defense and the inter-Korean unification division at the presidential transition committee before Park took office in February 2013.

Hong also served as a researcher at the Korea Institute for National Unification under the government from 1996 to 2000.

“Hong is the right person to resolve troubled inter-Korean relations thanks to his wealth of knowledge of the government’s policy and philosophy,” said senior presidential press secretary Yoon Doo-hyun Yoon on Feb. 17.

A government official, however, voiced a different view, Monday.

“As a former scholar, Hong would need some time to take control over the bureaucrats and implement the President’s goal to improve inter-Korean ties,” he said on condition of anonymity.

The nominee for the unification minister is a son of Hong Soon-il, former managing editor and editorial writer of The Korea Times.

The junior Hong is also a brother-in-law of Suh Seoung-hwan, outgoing minister of land, infrastructure and transport. Suh, 58, will be replaced by Rep. Yoo Il-ho of the ruling Saenuri Party.