Appointment of startups minister nominee unlikely
By Choi Ha-young
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Park Seong-jin
President Moon Jae-in’s pick for minister of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SME) and startups, Park Seong-jin, is unlikely to get the post, following the National Assembly Trade, Industry, Energy, SMEs and Startups Committee failed to approve the nomination, Wednesday.
Speculation is that Park may voluntarily withdraw soon.
In Monday’s committee hearing, even ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) lawmakers were hard on Park’s conservative-leaning remarks and activities that do not fit Moon’s liberal policy lines.
Asked about the age of the earth, which is 6,000 years old according to radical creationists, Park answered: “In the view of creationism within churches, it is 6,000 years old. I don’t believe it as a scientist but believe it religiously.” The remark went viral online sparking a public backlash.
The engineering professor from Pohang University of Science and Technology denied that he invited an ultra-right figure to give a lecture at the school. He also said the nation was founded in 1919 in line with Moon’s stance, while in a previous writing he claimed that it was established in 1948, a view backed by rightists.
The committee postponed its decision on whether to endorse him from Tuesday to Wednesday, giving him a chance to quit the nomination voluntarily. However, Park refused to do so.
“Basically, the ruling DPK shared the same view (as opposition parties) that he is unqualified,” Rep. Chang Byoung-wan, who chairs the committee, told reporters Wednesday. “Park’s voluntary withdrawal would be the best solution.”
Committee members lashed out at Park’s consecutive flip-flopping in denying allegations against him, adding their disapproval was due to his incapacity and attitude rather than his religious convictions.
Theoretically, President Moon can push for the appointment of Park regardless of the parliamentary approval: it did so when appointing Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha and Defense Minister Song Young-moo. In the case of Park, however, it’s difficult for Moon to ignore the opposition from the ruling DPK and the progressive Justice Party, which has usually backed Moon’s reform drive.
“Parks’ abnormal perspective as a scientist and distorted historical views are enough for us to disapprove him. If he refuses to quit, the presidential office should withdraw the nomination,” Justice Party spokesman Choi Seok said in a statement Tuesday.
As of Wednesday, Cheong Wa Dae has kept silent on the issue. The controversy over Park is likely to fuel criticism against Moon’s senior secretary for civil affairs, Cho Kuk, who is in charge of verifying nominees.
Personnel affairs have been a vulnerable point of the popular government. Earlier, Justice Minister nominee Ahn Kyong-whan and Labor Minister designate Cho Dae-yop dropped out of their bids in the face of criticism involving ethical lapses.