Moon asks for understanding on nominations
PM nominee likely to get confirmation
By Choi Ha-young
President Moon Jae-in asked for public understanding Monday over disputes about his nominations, paving the way for Prime Minister nominee Lee Nak-yon to get a National Assembly endorsement.
Following the President’s petition, the second-largest opposition People’s Party decided to back the prime minister nominee. “Despite lingering ethical issues surrounding Lee, we decided to cooperate with his confirmation,” floor leader Kim Dong-cheol said.
Lee is likely get the endorsement Wednesday when a vote is scheduled, despite objections from the main opposition Liberty Korea Party (LKP).
The ruling Democratic Party of Korea can secure a majority with backing from the People’s Party.
The opposition parties had called for President Moon’s explanation about his nomination in public, saying he had broken an election pledge.
During the presidential campaign, Moon vowed not to tap those who committed five irregularities ― military service evasion, real estate speculation, tax evasion, false residence registration and academic plagiarism. Among them, false residence registration by nominees, including Lee, has become a hot issue.
During Lee’s two-day confirmation hearing last week, Lee acknowledged that his wife, a former public school teacher, registered a false address in order to be assigned to a workplace that she preferred. However, she failed to get the posting.
Regarding the controversy in personnel affairs, the President acknowledged his mistake.
“I don’t think the standards that I announced during my candidacy were too ideal. However, they require detailed additional clauses in implementation,” Moon said. “Since we didn’t have a transitional process to give shape to the pledge, it resulted in the ongoing controversy.”
In the face of the snap presidential election following the ouster of ex-President Park Geun-hye, Moon took office in May 10 without a transitional period.
Moon called for a multilateral agreement to reinforce the criteria, to judge whether it was for personal interest or a casual mistake. “For upcoming appointments, please create a new standard through talks between the presidential advisory committee and the offices of senior secretaries for personnel and civil affairs,” he said.
His earlier declaration has been the core reason for the unexpected hindrance in confirmations, since false residence registration had in the past not been a serious stumbling block for government officials. Ex-President Lee Myung-bak falsely registered addresses five times, and five ministers under the former President Park Geun-hye were endorsed by the National Assembly despite doing the same.
In the morning, Jun Byung-hun, the senior presidential secretary for political affairs, delivered Moon’s message to the Assembly, pleading for flexibility from the opposition.
However, the largest opposition LKP refused to confirm Lee’s nomination after a meeting held Monday afternoon. “Moon should drop his bid to appoint Lee. The LKP cannot accept Moon’s contradictory excuses,” party spokesman Jeong Yong-ki said.
To be confirmed, the former South Jeolla governor has to gain at least half of the votes of those attending the session if at least half of the 299 lawmakers make an appearance. The second-largest opposition People’s Party holds the casting vote.
For Moon’s administration, it’s critical to appoint a prime minister as early as possible to embark on the new administration with a newly organized Cabinet since he has to recommend ministerial candidates.