[Summary] 'Citizen Disparagement and Assault on Reporter' Byun Chang-heum and Lee Yong-gu... Controversies Surround Every Appointment by the Blue House

Byeon Chang-heum calls citizens "poor people"
Lee Yong-gu assaults taxi driver while drunk
Kim Jong-in "Can't believe my ears... treating people like pigs"
Ruling party "Apologized", "Withdrawal of nomination is a bit..."

Cheong Wa Dae Panorama Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Juhee] Recently, the past actions of high-ranking public officials appointed or nominated by the Blue House have repeatedly come under controversy. Byun Chang-heum, the nominee for Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, made remarks that seemed to blame the 'Guui Station disaster victim,' while Lee Yong-gu, the Vice Minister of Justice, faced criticism regarding his qualifications for ministerial duties after allegations of assaulting a taxi driver surfaced.

As ministers and vice ministers involved in key national governance face controversies over offensive remarks and assault allegations, concerns are rising that the Blue House's personnel screening system is not functioning properly.

During his tenure as president of the Seoul Housing and Communities Corporation (SH) in 2016, when Kim (then 19 years old), who was repairing a screen door alone at Guui Station, was caught between an incoming train and the screen door and died, Byun made remarks that appeared to shift responsibility onto Kim, saying, "If he had just paid a little more attention, nothing would have happened."

Byun also faced criticism for saying, during discussions about placing a shared kitchen in public rental housing share houses promoted by SH, "Poor people cook at home; are you crazy to think they buy food?"

Byun was also embroiled in allegations including △ unusually favoring external personnel including Seoul National University alumni for high-ranking SH positions, △ breaking promises to convert contract workers to permanent positions and hiring acquaintances during his tenure as SH president, and △ purchasing an apartment in Bangbae-dong, Seocho-gu in 2006 with excessive loans.

Meanwhile, Vice Minister Lee, appointed on the 2nd, was revealed to have assaulted a taxi driver by grabbing his collar while intoxicated in front of his apartment in Seocho-gu on the 6th of last month when he was working as a lawyer. Despite the assault allegations, Lee was not booked, and as the taxi driver expressed no desire for punishment, the police reportedly closed the investigation.

Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport nominee Byeon Chang-heum is arriving at the hearing preparation office set up at the Seoul Regional Land Management Office in the Government Complex Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province on the 21st. / Gwacheon - Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

As a result, criticism is mounting that the Blue House's personnel screening system is inadequate.

Netizens poured out criticism such as, "How can someone who behaves beyond common sense be appointed to ministerial or vice-ministerial positions responsible for national affairs?", "The government's personnel decisions are outrageous, ignoring and even assaulting the people," and "Neither the person refusing to resign nor the government refusing to withdraw the nomination seem to know what they think of the people."

The opposition party strongly criticized, asking, "Who is this administration for?" Kim Jong-in, the emergency committee chairman of the People Power Party, said in a written statement on the 21st, "I was incredulous upon hearing Byun's offensive remarks," and strongly condemned them as "a disgraceful act that drives a nail into the hearts of already struggling youth and ordinary people."

He added, "Words reflect a person's character and personality. Especially in Byun's offensive remarks, his emotions clearly reveal how he views the people," and pointed out, "It would be common sense to immediately withdraw the nomination of such a problematic candidate who provokes public anger and frustration."

Kim also said, "The Vice Minister of Justice assaulted an ordinary citizen, and the person aspiring to be Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport spews offensive language and curses. Who exactly is this administration for?" and noted, "There are even heated criticisms that the ruling party truly regards the people as dogs and pigs."

Lee Yong-gu, Deputy Minister of Justice. / Photo by Yonhap News

Voices of criticism also came from the ruling party. Park Hong-bae, a Supreme Council member of the Democratic Party of Korea, said at the Supreme Council meeting that day, "Byun caused controversy by shifting the responsibility for the accident to 'Kim from Guui Station' during his tenure as SH president," and expressed regret that "although it seemed intended to emphasize safety to executives, it was perceived as blaming the deceased Kim personally."

Park Sung-min, another Supreme Council member of the Democratic Party, said, "The language of public officials is language that touches the hearts of the people, and their mindset forms the framework for policy-making," and demanded, "Byun should offer a sincere apology until the bereaved families and the public can accept it." However, Park added, "This is not a matter that should lead to withdrawal of the nomination. I am expressing my personal opinion, thinking it is not something to be simply overlooked as mere support."

Meanwhile, some Democratic Party lawmakers showed active support for Byun. Rep. Lee Won-wook, in an interview with BBS Radio's 'Park Kyung-soo's Morning Journal,' said, "The controversy over the meeting remarks recorded in the transcript is intensifying, but I hope people consider the overall context," and defended Byun, saying, "Sometimes, if one thing is misunderstood, it causes controversy as if that is everything." He added, "(Byun) is a very excellent candidate when you look at his commitment and philosophy regarding housing issues and urban regeneration."

Rep. Park Beom-gye of the same party also said on CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show,' "(Regarding the offensive remarks controversy) he apologized," and argued, "We need to hear more about the context in which the remarks were made during the confirmation hearing."

Meanwhile, Byun's confirmation hearing is scheduled for the 23rd. The People Power Party has announced plans for a so-called 'thorough screening,' arguing that Byun is highly unfit for the ministerial position due to moral controversies and other issues.