Main opposition party thinks twice about boycotting chief justice nominee
Main opposition Democratic Party of Korea floor leader Hong Ihk-pyo, left, speaks during a party meeting at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, Thursday. Yonhap
The main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) is contemplating whether to issue a party guideline to boycott President Yoon Suk Yeol’s nomination for new Supreme Court Chief Justice Lee Gyun-ryong, although a majority of party members believe that the nominee is unfit for the post.
The reluctance reflects the party’s concerns over a growing public perception that the main opposition party is exploiting its majority in the National Assembly to sabotage state affairs by rejecting most of the candidates for high-ranking positions that Yoon has nominated. Along with the chief justice, the DPK is poised to reject Yoon’s recent nominees for the ministers of defense, culture and gender equality.
According to the Assembly, Thursday, lawmakers will cast votes on the chief justice’s nomination on Friday. Unlike ministers, chief justice of the Supreme Court, president of the Constitutional Court and the prime minister need to receive parliamentary approval before their appointments.
The DPK, which controls 168 out of 298 seats, held a general assembly of its lawmakers on Wednesday and discussed the party’s guideline on Lee’s nomination, but decided to hold another lawmakers’ meeting on Friday before casting their votes.
The party said it delayed the decision because there were some opinions that setting a party guideline to object the nomination could hurt its image.
“Even if we do not set a party guideline, chances are high that the nomination will be rejected,” DPK floor leader Rep. Hong Ihk-pyo said in a radio interview with broadcaster SBS, Thursday. “Most of our lawmakers think that party guideline is unnecessary, and no lawmaker said that Lee is an appropriate nominee.”
However, the DPK appears to be mindful of the political consquences of creating a vacuum at the top post of the country’s judiciary.
Chief Supreme Court Justice nominee Lee Gyun-ryong answers a lawmaker's question during his confirmation hearing at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, Sept. 20. Korea Times photo by Koh Young-kwon
Former Chief Justice Kim Myeong-su left the top court on Sept. 22, as his term expired on Sept. 24. Initially, the Assembly planned to vote on Lee’s nomination on Sept. 25, but postponed it after the DPK’s floor leader resigned.
The ruling People Power Party (PPP) is already stepping up pressure on the DPK to approve Lee’s nomination, citing the vacuum in the judiciary.
“The current absence in the Supreme Court is something that hasn't happened in 30 years and the Assembly should not make the mistake of extending it,” PPP floor leader Rep. Yun Jae-ok said. “The biggest victims of the absence of a chief justice will be the public.”
Culture Minister nominee Yoo In-chon closes his eyes during his confirmation hearing at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, Thursday. Yonhap
Along with the chief Supreme Court justice, the DPK is objecting Defense Minister nominee Shin Won-sik, Culture Minister nominee Yoo In-chon and Gender Equality Minister Kim Haeng.
Although their appointments do not require the Assembly’s consent, objecting all of Yoon’s nominations could trigger criticism that the main opposition party is exploiting its majority in the Assembly to hinder state affairs..
On Thursday, Yoon asked the Assembly to send a confirmation hearing report on the defense minister nominee by Friday, as the rival parties failed to hold a meeting on whether to accept a confirmation report. If the parties do not send the report until Friday, Yoon can appoint the nominee the following day.
Given the conflict between the DPK and PPP, chances are slim that the parties will send Shin’s report to the president. If Yoon goes ahead with Shin’s appointment, he will be the 18th minister that the president appointed without a confirmation report.
The culture and gender equality minister nominees are facing similar setbacks. On Thursday, the DPK slammed the culture minister nominee during his confirmation hearing at the Assembly, citing Yoo’s alleged involvement in the previous Lee Myung-bak administration’s blacklisting of left-leaning cultural figures.
The gender equality minister nominee also came under fire during a separate confirmation hearing on Thursday, with the main opposition party claiming that Kim was nominated for the position due to her acquaintance with Yoon’s wife, Kim Keon Hee.
Gender Equality Minister nominee Kim Haeng gestures during her confirmation hearing at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, Thursday. Yonhap