Yeo's Move to Force Appointment of 'Im, Park, Noh'? What Do You Think?

Moon "No perfunctory confirmation hearings"
Will Im Hye-sook, Park Jun-young, and Noh Hyung-wook appointments be forced through?

On the 10th, citizens are watching President Moon Jae-in's special speech on the 4th anniversary of his inauguration in the Seoul Station waiting room. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] The so-called appointment of ministers 'Im, Park, and Noh' is expected to become a reality. On the 10th, the Democratic Party of Korea held a party meeting and concluded that there were "no disqualifications" for ministerial candidates Im Hye-sook, Park Jun-young, and Noh Hyung-wook. On the same day, President Moon Jae-in stated regarding the ministerial candidates whom the opposition party had deemed "unfit," "I do not think this is a failure of verification."

Earlier, during the National Assembly confirmation hearings, candidate Noh Hyung-wook was embroiled in controversy over real estate speculation involving official residences, candidate Im Hye-sook faced allegations of submitting a down payment contract for an apartment and taking family members on overseas trips under the guise of official business, and candidate Park Jun-young was criticized because his spouse violated customs law by importing and selling expensive ceramics.

The Democratic Party holds the position that there are no serious disqualifications concerning the ministerial candidates. Employment spokesperson Ko Yong-jin of the Democratic Party emphasized in a briefing after the party meeting and leadership council, "Although many suspicions have been raised, making the candidates appear problematic to the public, the overall sentiment within the Democratic Party is that there are no disqualifications serious enough to warrant withdrawal of the nominations."

He continued, "It was confirmed at the party meeting that this is a common view among the confirmation hearing committee members," adding, "We will not finalize a single proposal today but will convey to the Blue House that there were various opinions. I believe the President will synthesize the lawmakers' views and make a decision."

Im Hye-sook, Minister of Science and ICT (from left), Park Jun-young, Minister of Oceans and Fisheries, and Noh Hyung-wook, nominee for Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, answering questions at the respective confirmation hearings held on the 4th at the National Assembly's Science, ICT, Broadcasting and Communications Committee, Agriculture, Food, Rural Affairs, Oceans and Fisheries Committee, and Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee. Photo by Yonhap News.

At a press conference following his 4th anniversary special address, President Moon said, "I do not consider it a failure of verification just because the opposition party opposes," and added, "Today is the deadline for the National Assembly to decide whether to adopt the confirmation hearing report, so I will observe the parliamentary discussions and make a comprehensive judgment."

Regarding candidate Noh Hyung-wook for Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, he said, "If we look for a candidate outside the Ministry of Land, who else would have the capability at this level?" and "After much consideration, we selected the current candidate."

About candidate Park Jun-young for Minister of Oceans and Fisheries, he stated, "He played a significant role in rebuilding our industry after the bankruptcy of Hanjin Shipping," and "The new Minister of Oceans and Fisheries is tasked with restoring the status of a maritime powerhouse prior to Hanjin Shipping's bankruptcy, and I judged him to be the most capable and thus nominated him."

Regarding candidate Im Hye-sook for Minister of Science and ICT, he said, "One way to increase talent in the science and technology sector is to have more women enter the field," and added, "There is a need for successful female role models, and with that in mind, we nominated a female candidate."

The People Power Party immediately reacted with opposition. They declared they would reject even the confirmation report for Prime Minister candidate Kim Boo-kyum, accusing the administration of ignoring the National Assembly and pushing through appointments.

At an emergency press conference, Seo Byung-soo, Chair of the People Power Party's Prime Minister Confirmation Hearing Special Committee, said, "In his special address today, President Moon asserted that opposition in the confirmation hearing does not mean the Blue House's personnel verification failed," and added, "This means the candidate will be appointed regardless of the hearing results, and as chair, I will not approve even a formal confirmation hearing report."

The People Power Party also criticized President Moon's 4th anniversary special address. Spokesperson Bae Jun-young said in an oral statement, "There was no reflection on failures in governance, only a declaration to continue arrogance and obstinacy," and "He showed a perception gap so wide it makes one doubt that he lives under the same sky as the people."

Regarding the last cabinet reshuffle of the Moon administration, he warned, "The President criticized the National Assembly in general terms regarding ministerial confirmation hearings. He called the hearings 'humiliating' and unfair, but when he was in the opposition, why did he raise his voice against candidates at hearings? Why has there been no effort to improve the system until now?" and "If the nominations of the three unfit ministerial candidates (Im Hye-sook, Park Jun-young, Noh Hyung-wook) are not withdrawn, there will be a national judgment on this."

Meanwhile, President Moon will request the National Assembly on the 11th to resend the confirmation hearing reports for candidates Im Hye-sook for Minister of Science and ICT, Park Jun-young for Minister of Oceans and Fisheries, and Noh Hyung-wook for Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. Even if the resubmission deadline passes or the opposition parties including the People Power Party ultimately refuse to approve the confirmation reports, President Moon may proceed with the appointments.