Cheong Wa Dae "Park Ji-won Selection Solely President Moon's Decision... Not Concerned About Past Events"

Park Ji-won, Nominee for Director of the National Intelligence Service

[Asia Economy Reporter Son Sun-hee] The Blue House revealed on the 5th that the background behind the appointment of former lawmaker Park Ji-won, who was politically opposed to President Moon Jae-in, as the head of the National Intelligence Service (NIS) was President Moon Jae-in's decision.

A senior Blue House official told reporters on the day, "There were recommendations for candidate Park through various routes," but added, "The final selection of candidate Park was solely President Moon's decision." Initially, it was not only for the position of 'NIS Director' that Park was recommended; the possibility that he was also recommended for other positions in the diplomatic and security line, such as Director of the National Security Office or Minister of Unification, was not ruled out. The official added, "In any case, President Moon settled on candidate Park as the NIS Director."

Candidate Park, who was a leading figure in the anti-Moon (anti-Moon Jae-in) camp, was a fierce rival to President Moon during the 2015 New Politics Alliance for Democracy party leadership race. During the primary, Park launched a fierce attack on Moon using frames such as 'pro-Roh Moo-hyun hegemony' and 'neglect of Honam region.' After Moon secured the party leadership, in January 2016, Park even left the party citing the anti-Moon sentiment in Honam, stating, "Moon's proposal has no justification to prevent division." At one point, he was nicknamed 'Moonorning' because he reportedly started every day criticizing President Moon.

However, a senior Blue House official explained, "President Moon does not care about past events," and added, "He is thinking about governance and the future rather than past incidents that occurred during elections."

Candidate Park himself wrote on Facebook immediately after the announcement of his nomination as NIS Director, "I will serve with patriotism and loyalty for history, the Republic of Korea, and President Moon."

Meanwhile, regarding the possibility of sending former Chief of Staff Im Jong-seok, who was appointed as a special advisor on foreign affairs and security, as a special envoy to North Korea, the official said, "The appointment letter has not yet been presented," and refrained from commenting, saying, "It is a matter for the future." The appointment letter for former National Security Office Director Chung Eui-yong, who was also appointed as a special advisor along with former Chief of Staff Im, is expected to be presented as early as the 6th.