Is career diplomat suitable to lead SMEs ministry?
SMEs and Startups Minister nominee Oh Young-ju answers questions from reporters on her way to the office in Seoul, Tuesday. Yonhap
Debate is heating up over the recent nomination of Second Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Oh Young-ju as the minister of SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises) and startups, because she has only worked as a diplomat in her entire 36-year career, according to industry officials, Wednesday.
The main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) criticized her lack of direct experience.
“Since the launch of the SMEs ministry, it has been led by professors studying SMEs and startups, or politicians who worked at relevant standing committees at the National Assembly,” said Rep. Kim Han-jung of the DPK, a vice chairman of the Trade, Industry, Energy, SMEs and Startups Committee. “How can a diplomat, who focused only on Busan’s World Expo bid until last month, understand economic difficulties?”
DPK floor leader Rep. Hong Ihk-pyo warned of a thorough review in the forthcoming confirmation hearing, raising doubts about Oh’s understanding of the reality of domestic SMEs.
The opposition bloc even attributed her nomination to her husband, Jang Seok-myeong, who served as the discipline secretary at Cheong Wa Dae under the Lee Myung-bak administration and supported President Yoon Suk Yeol’s election campaign.
SMEs ministry officials are also said to be divided on the qualifications of their new leader.
In response, Oh told reporters Tuesday that she will be able to utilize her international networks in helping Korean SMEs pioneer new markets.
“It is important for companies to grow with domestic consumption, but it is also very important for them to pioneer new markets abroad,” she said.
The presidential office also described her as the right person to globalize Korean SMEs.
President Yoon Suk Yeol, left, speaks with Samsung Electronics Executive Chairman Lee Jae-yong, right, during a state dinner in Hanoi, Vietnam, in this June 24 file photo. Fourth from left is SMEs and Startups Minister nominee Oh Young-ju, who was the ambassador to Vietnam at that time. Newsis
In Korea’s business circles, career diplomats have been in great demand in recent years, as escalating geopolitical tensions have had bigger impacts on global supply chains.
Federation of Korean Industries Vice Chairman Kim Chang-beom, former ambassador to Indonesia, worked as an adviser to Hyundai Motor Group until September. The automotive group is also said to be planning to hire former U.S. Ambassador to Korea Sung Kim, following its hiring of two career diplomats, former Presidential Protocol Secretary Kim Il-bum and Kim Dong-jo, former presidential spokesperson for the foreign press.
On Tuesday, Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chair Chung Euisun met with female ambassadors in Korea at Hyundai Motor Studio in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province.
Samsung Electronics also promoted two former diplomats in its latest executive reshuffle. Last year, the tech giant hired former U.S. Ambassador to Korea Mark Lippert as the executive vice president of its North American operations.
In addition, SK, POSCO and KT also employed former diplomats over the past few years.