Yeo Sang-min: "Im Hye-sook and Park Jun-young candidates face difficulties in demonstrating full leadership... High concerns within the party"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeon Jinyoung] Lee Sang-min, a senior member of the Democratic Party of Korea, emphasized opposition to the appointment of Science and ICT Minister nominee Lim Hye-sook and Oceans and Fisheries Minister nominee Park Jun-young on the 12th, stating that there is a strong current of opposition within the party as well. On the previous day, Lee posted on Facebook, “The two nominees fall far short of public sentiment and therefore should not be appointed as ministers,” urging the leadership to make a decisive decision.

In an interview with KBS Radio’s ‘Choi Kyung-young’s Strongest Current Affairs’ on the morning of the same day, Lee said, “Continuing to engage in exhausting controversies over the ministerial nominee decisions is utterly harmful to the nation and the people. This needs to be resolved quickly.”

He pointed out, “There are unresolved doubts about the allegations due to insufficient clarification of the facts,” adding, “It is difficult to demonstrate full leadership in public office. Genuine leadership comes from the trust of the people, and in this situation where the nominees are being ridiculed and lack public trust, can they possibly exercise full leadership as ministers?”

Regarding the controversy over nominee Lim’s thesis and family-accompanied business trips, he criticized, “I consulted scholars and professors, and almost unanimously, the research and academic communities find these actions unacceptable. Also, going on overseas business trips funded by public money accompanied by family members is still socially unacceptable in our society emotionally.”

As for nominee Park, he raised his voice, saying, “There may be various circumstances, but the extent is excessive. From the perspective of ordinary citizens, it seems to be generally considered overly ridiculous.”

When asked by the host whether there are many voices of concern within the Democratic Party, Lee answered, “There are many.” Regarding why these concerns are not publicly expressed, he explained, “Internally, there are voices of worry, but the party is currently in a difficult position. Many are concerned that showing division through various discussions would cause public anxiety and hinder government administration.”

He then reiterated his call for the leadership’s decisive action. Lee emphasized, “The leadership may have concerns, but the longer this drags on, the more harmful it becomes. From the perspective that only exhausting controversies are amplified, the leadership must bear the burden, advise the president, and move in a direction that addresses and reflects public sentiment.”