Critics say Moon's special address far from public sentiment

President Moon Jae-in speaks during a press conference at Cheong Wa Dae, Monday. Joint press corps

By Kang Seung-woo

President Moon Jae-in's special address, Monday, on the occasion of the fourth anniversary of his inauguration, left critics believing that he still does not recognize the current situation that the public is facing, according to political watchers.

“I think the President is not on-point regarding what the public are complaining about,” Hangil Research director and political analyst Hong Hyeong-sik said.

“It seems that his aides might be failing to recognize and precisely report to the President the situation as it is.”

Hong added, “President Moon needs to feel the same urgency that the general public are feeling.”

During his special address, Moon was critical of the current parliamentary confirmation hearing system for ministers and other ranking government officials, which he believes focuses on humiliating nominees, preventing him from picking candidates who are a good fit for the job.

His remark came following criticism from the public and the conservative opposition bloc regarding three minister nominees ― Land Minister nominee Noh Hyeong-ouk, Science Minister nominee Lim Hye-sook and Oceans Minister nominee Park Jun-young ― for their respective ethical lapses. The conservative main opposition People Power Party (PPP) had been refusing to approve their nominations after hearings for each of the candidates last week.

“I do not believe that the Cheong Wa Dae's review of their qualifications has failed, even though the opposition side opposes their nomination,” he said.

"The National Assembly should check the nominees' eligibility and qualifications for their respective jobs, but the current hearing only takes issue with their shortcomings. Under this system, we cannot select the proper people.”

However, Hong said the current confirmation hearing was initiated by the liberal side.

“President Moon said that the culture of these hearings should change under the next administration, but this culture was actually initiated by the liberal camp,” he said.

“It is thus absurd for Moon to say that a renovation of the confirmation hearing system is needed after a new administration is inaugurated.”

Moon indicated that he would maintain the current real estate policy in principle, although there may be minor changes. The real estate policy has been widely regarded as the main failure of the Moon government thus far, and a cause of the ruling bloc's crushing defeat in the April 7 mayoral by-elections.

The President said that housing stability constitutes the key to people's livelihoods, adding that in addition to the private-sector housing supply, public-led housing supply measures will be implemented as planned without disruption.

“What the public is angry at the Moon administration over is that the government's failed real estate policy focused on public-led rental houses. However, rather than acknowledging this blunder, the government is adopting these public-led housing supply measures,” Hong said.

In response to Moon's special address, the PPP said that it was none other than self-praise for the administration's management of state affairs.

“President Moon's special address on the occasion of his fourth inauguration was his declaration that he will continue his 'self-righteousness and stubbornness' in leading the country,” said Rep. Jun Joo-hyae, spokesperson of the PPP.

A citizen watches President Moon Jae-in's televised speech in Gwangju, Monday. Yonhap

“The public wanted President Moon to change his stance on how he has been running his administration, but his address was limited to indicating that he lives in another world by himself.”

During the address, Moon said that international organizations have recently raised Korea's growth prospects, with some forecasting growth of more than 4 percent for this year, adding that the government will strive to achieve a faster and stronger economic rebound.

“The government's push for income-led growth has proved to be a failure based on various indicators and the loss of jobs, but it has stressed its achievements,” she said.

“It is questionable what has gotten better, given that a large number of self-employed people have gone out of business and many part-timers lost their temporary jobs.”

Also in protest against Moon's remarks on the confirmation hearings, the PPP boycotted a National Assembly session to decide whether to approve Prime Minister nominee Kim Boo-kyum, later in the day.

“Moons remarks show he will appoint the nominees whether or not the Assembly approves of them,” said Rep. Suh Byung-soo of the PPP, the head of a special committee on the prime minister nominee's hearing. “We won't give an approval if the confirmation hearing is mere formality.”