"Wrong Then, Right Now... Park Geun-hye Government D?j? Vu" Jo Gi-sook Criticizes Ruling Party's 'Audit Chief Intimidation'

Professor Jo Gisuk of Ewha Womans University Graduate School of International Studies is delivering the opening address at the inaugural academic conference of the Korean Public Diplomacy Association held at the Four Seasons Hotel in Gwanghwamun on the 2nd. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Min Jun-young Intern Reporter] As the Democratic Party of Korea demands the resignation of Choi Jae-hyung, the Board of Audit and Inspection (BAI) chairman who criticized the early shutdown of Wolsong Unit 1 on the 29th, Professor Cho Ki-sook of Ewha Womans University Graduate School of International Studies pointed out that "it reminded me of a d?j? vu from the Park Geun-hye administration."

In a post on her Facebook on the 30th, Professor Cho said, "During the Park administration, former BAI chairman Yang Geon recommended three candidates, none of whom included Professor Jang Hoon-gyo. However, the nomination was rejected on the grounds that the BAI chairman was a person from the election camp."

She added, "Even though Professor Jang Hoon-gyo declined the position, former BAI chairman Yang Geon resigned without revealing the exact reason. Yang, who harshly criticized MB to protect the independence of the BAI and tried to maintain political neutrality, had no choice but to step down due to pressure from the Blue House despite having a guaranteed term."

She continued, "At that time, the Democratic Party urged the Blue House to immediately stop interfering in BAI personnel matters. The Democratic Party pointed out that it was a serious problem for President Park Geun-hye, who claimed to uphold law and principles, to violate the constitution by failing to protect the constitutionally guaranteed four-year term of the BAI chairman again."

She then criticized, "I hope the Democratic Party remembers and practices what they said during the previous administration. The personnel deadlock should be resolved according to constitutional principles, not by intimidating the BAI chairman and demanding resignation. It is hard to understand whether such actions are necessary for the success of the Moon Jae-in administration. The Democratic Party should either resolve the personnel chaos and contribute to political development or clearly explain why what was wrong then is right now."

Furthermore, she said, "I hope the Blue House and the Democratic Party think of the people who held candles during that cold winter for a better government than the Park Geun-hye administration. It is also true that there are concerns about whether democracy, which has been built up so far, can be well protected with the birth of unchecked massive power. I earnestly ask them to consider why the impeached government became distant from public sentiment."

Earlier, Chairman Choi had expressed a critical stance on the Moon Jae-in administration's flagship policy of nuclear phase-out during the April hearing of former Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Baek Woon-gyu, questioning, "Can a government pledge supported by 41% be considered to have gained national consensus?"

In response, on the 29th, at the plenary meeting of the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee, Democratic Party lawmaker Shin Dong-geun criticized, "If you are uncomfortable with or disagree with the president's direction of state affairs, resign," sparking calls for his resignation.