"Why Hide It When Appointing on a Solid Foundation?" Jin Joong-kwon Criticizes Yeo's Push for Closed Hearing

Jin Joong-kwon, former professor at Dongyang University / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kang Juhee] Former Dongyang University professor Jin Joong-kwon criticized the Democratic Party of Korea on the 22nd for proposing an amendment to make the morality verification of high-ranking public official hearing candidates confidential, saying, "It seems difficult to find someone who is not corrupt."

On the same day, Jin posted on his Facebook, "Even though the public is watching everything clearly, is there really a need to hide or conceal it?"

He continued, "Didn't they just shamelessly appoint Cho Kuk and Yoon Mee-hyang? If they are going to appoint them regardless of whether the public wants it or not, shouldn't the public at least know how corrupt the person is?"

Jin pointed out, "History repeats itself," adding, "In 2013, the Saenuri Party tried to introduce confidential hearings, but it was blocked due to opposition from the Democratic Party. Now, the Democratic Party is trying to introduce it."

He then listed remarks made by Democratic Party lawmakers in 2013 criticizing Saenuri Party's push for confidential hearings.

At the time, Park Ki-chun, floor leader of the Democratic United Party, said, "If the hearings are held confidentially, how can we verify issues like false address registration, real estate speculation, military service evasion, and tax evasion?"

Yoon Kwan-seok, floor spokesperson, said, "Mentioning institutional improvements after a candidate is abruptly recommended without proper prior verification and then falls or resigns voluntarily raises doubts about the sincerity of such efforts," and Park Yong-jin, spokesperson, said, "Forgetting their responsibility for nominating unqualified candidates to important national positions and blaming the hearing system is something the public will not tolerate."

Jin sarcastically said, "What was valid in 2013 is still valid now. It's a comedy."

He added, "I remember the personnel hearing was proposed by Park Geun-hye and accepted by President Roh Moo-hyun," and said, "President Roh said, 'If introduced, it will be harder for themselves later,' but nowadays, the standard of corruption has been reversed, and it seems the Democratic Party is having a harder time."