By Jun Ji-hye
The main opposition Democratic Party (DP) demanded Friday that President Park Geun-hye carry out a Cabinet reshuffle, following the dismissal of Oceans and Fisheries Minister Yoon Jin-sook the previous day.
The opposition said Yoon’s dismissal represented an appointment fiasco for Park.
Yoon was criticized after making a series of gaffes over a recent oil spill in the waters off Yeosu.
The DP’s move is seen as an apparent attempt to put pressure on the ruling Saenuri Party ahead of the June 4 local elections, stressing the need for people to deliver a judgement of the Park administration at the polls.
The party submitted bills to dismiss Justice Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn and Education Minister Seo Nam-soo.
“Seo defended unfair history books that justified pro-Japanese collaborators during the colonial period as well as former authoritarian leaders, while Hwang refused to protect justice,” said Rep. Jun Byung-hun, floor leader of the DP.
He criticized Hwang for the acquittal verdict of former Seoul police chief Kim Yong-pan, who allegedly ordered police to downsize the investigation into the National Intelligence Service’s (NIS) alleged meddling in the 2012 presidential election.
“Park should be aware of public sentiment toward Kim Ki-choon, the presidential chief of staff, who is suspected of pulling strings behind the scenes to cover up the truth behind the NIS incident,” said Jun, asking Park to realign secretaries of the presidential office as well.
The party also targeted Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Hyun Oh-seok, calling on him to take responsibility for the recent leak of personal information from three credit card companies.
Some members of the governing party echoed the need to realign the Cabinet.
“A reshuffle is at the sole discretion of the President. But it seems something is needed,” said Saenuri lawmaker Kang Seok-ho.
He added, “When a problem involving ministers emerges, the president needs to immediately replace them to address public concerns.”