"Appointed Minister Despite Lack of Ability? Female Opposition Lawmakers Protest Minister Im Hye-suk's Appointment"

President Moon presents appointment letters to Prime Minister Kim Bu-gyeom and Ministers Im Hye-sook, Moon Seung-wook, Ahn Kyung-duk, and Noh Hyung-wook
Opposition criticizes Minister Im Hye-sook's appointment
Allegations raised: "Kim Jung-sook behind Im Hye-sook"

Im Hye-sook, the newly appointed Minister of Science and ICT, adjusts her glasses at the inauguration ceremony held on the afternoon of the 14th at the Government Sejong Complex in Sejong City.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] Criticism is emerging from opposition parties regarding President Moon Jae-in's decision to push through the appointment of Lim Hye-sook as Minister of Science and ICT on the 14th. Despite various controversies such as family-accompanied overseas trips and false address registrations, it is pointed out that the appointment was forced due to President Moon's pledge to allocate 30% of ministerial positions to women.

Earlier that day, President Moon presented appointment letters to Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum and Ministers Roh Hyung-wook of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, Moon Seung-wook of Trade, Industry and Energy, Ahn Kyung-duk of Employment and Labor, and Lim Hye-sook of Science and ICT at the Blue House main building. With this, except for Park Jun-young, the Minister of Oceans and Fisheries nominee who voluntarily withdrew after being nominated during the cabinet reshuffle and new prime minister nomination on the 16th of last month, all nominees were appointed, bringing the 28-day confirmation hearing period to a close.

However, opposition parties continue to oppose Minister Lim's appointment. On the morning of the same day, Rep. Cho Soo-jin of the People Power Party targeted Minister Lim at an emergency party meeting in front of the Blue House, saying, "I really wonder how this person can represent women."

Rep. Cho criticized, "Many women would not accept going abroad on public funds accompanied by family members. Do you think women would be happy just because a female minister nominee who cannot distinguish between public and private affairs is forcibly appointed? Absolutely not."

Yoon Hee-sook, member of the People Power Party. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Rep. Yoon Hee-sook of the People Power Party also pointed out on Facebook, "Is Moon Jae-in's feminism that it's okay to be a woman even if lacking ability and qualifications?"

Rep. Yoon said, "This government, which cannot even understand what is wrong with appointing someone just because it's hard to find female candidates and they don't meet the public's standards, only shouts feminism but has no real belief or pursuit. The president's promise of a 30% female quota should be kept by actively finding women whose abilities have been undervalued in the long-standing male-centered social structure."

She continued, "If the candidate found with effort is unqualified, naturally a better candidate should be found. The true gender equality policy is to be recognized as 'a good system because it makes us work hard to find excellent people and break the glass ceiling.' The Blue House and ruling party's statement of 'just appointing to meet the 30% quota despite difficulty in finding candidates' not only greatly regresses gender equality in our country but also pours fuel on the already deepened gender conflicts among people in their 20s," she criticized.

Meanwhile, suspicions have also been raised within the opposition that First Lady Kim Jung-sook influenced the appointment of Minister Lim.

Rep. Hwang Bo-seung-hee of the People Power Party issued a press release that day, stating, "There are talks that First Lady Kim Jung-sook is behind the forced appointment of Minister Lim." She pointed out, "If one can become a minister simply because she is a woman despite lack of ability and moral flaws, and if a First Lady without personnel authority can recommend and make someone a minister, who would strive to manage themselves and develop their capabilities as a minister?"

She raised her voice, saying, "Does President Moon alone not realize that his narrow gender perception not only insults talented people in our country who demonstrate their abilities in various fields but also stirs unnecessary gender conflicts?"