FTC nominee may get confirmation
By Choi Ha-young
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Kim Sang-jo
Kim Sang-jo, nominee for chairman of the Fair Trade Commission (FTC), is expected to get approval from the National Assembly as more lawmakers from two minor opposition parties are backing the nominee.
The liberal opposition People’s Party and the minor conservative opposition Bareun Party have softened their stances on Kim’s nomination, while the main opposition Liberty Korea Party (LKP) remains firm against Kim.
“The nation should fill in the power vacuum as early as possible. We are not selecting a pastor or a monk,” Rep. Ha Tae-keung of the Bareun Party said in a radio interview, Wednesday.
“Kim has proven ability to lead the antitrust watchdog. The Assembly should endorse him, unless there are critical lapses.”
On the same day, Park Jie-won from the People’s Party said: “Kim is obliged to push for reforms on chaebol, family-run conglomerates. Personally, I hope Kim and the other two minister-designates get approval.”
The progressive Justice Party, which shares a goal of chaebol reform with the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), has been favorable to Kim. He is nicknamed the “chaebol sniper” for his background as an outspoken civic activist.
“The LKP will draw fire if it puts a strain on state affairs by reckless opposition,” Justice Party spokeswoman Chu Hye-seon said.
Originally, the Assembly was supposed to adopt the joint report over Kim’s suitability Wednesday, but the People’s Party requested to postpone the decision showing its deliberation. The National Policy Committee in charge of the report has ended inconclusively. It is likely to make a decision in a meeting Friday.
Though the parliamentary process is not legally binding, the dissonance could become a burden for President Moon Jae-in, who has emphasized harmony with the opposition bloc. For Cheong Wa Dae, Kim’s nomination is a symbolic motion to pursue thorough economic reform, in line with widespread public desire shown in the street rallies last year. The corruption scandal involving the ex-president exposed a lingering alliance between politics and businesses here.
However, the LKP, which aims to be a “clear-cut” opposition party, has renewed its call for Kim’s resignation, claiming he lied during the Assembly hearing. The conservative party further criticized the People’s Party calling it a “backup force” of the DPK.
Snowballing public support for Kim brought about the positive atmosphere in the Assembly. During the hearing, he calmly explained the flood of allegations involving himself and his family members.
Particularly, his “worn-out bag” has gone viral online after the hearing as evidence of his frugal life. On Tuesday, 498 experts from all walks of life, including former Prime Minister Chung Woon-chan, declared their support for Kim.