People Power Party: "President Moon, 'Parachute Appointments' at End of Term... Key Positions Filled with Former Blue House and R Party Members"

Criticism of Personnel in IPTV Broadcasting Association, Airport Corporation, Gas Safety Corporation, and Wonjaeryeok Foundation

President Moon Jae-in and President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol. /Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Na Ye-eun] Amid the sudden cancellation of the luncheon meeting between President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol and President Moon Jae-in, the People Power Party criticized President Moon for appointing 'parachute personnel'?individuals from the Blue House and Democratic Party aides?to key positions near the end of his term.

Heo Eun-ah, chief spokesperson for the People Power Party, stated in a commentary on the 16th, "President Moon's early-term promise that 'there will be no parachute appointments' has ultimately proven to be empty words," adding, "With less than two months left in his administration, former Blue House and Democratic Party aides have been consecutively appointed to key positions such as Chairman of the Korea IPTV Broadcasting Association, President of Korea Airports Corporation, and Standing Auditor of Korea Gas Safety Corporation."

She continued, "Perhaps this was anticipated during the many moments throughout his term when the principles of 'equal opportunity, fair process, and just outcomes' were shattered," and criticized, "The appointment of a former civic group member with no expertise and known for anti-nuclear stances as Chairman of the Korea Nuclear Safety Foundation for a three-year term is the crowning disaster of personnel decisions at the end of the administration."

Furthermore, she said, "Although President Moon pledged to cooperate so that the next government could start stably without any administrative vacuum, in reality, it has been a continuous series of irresponsible appointments filled with 'camcorder personnel'?appointments made to suit the regime's tastes rather than based on professionalism and responsibility for the people," adding, "The harm caused by such camcorder appointments was already evident over the past five years."

Heo also referenced former Central Election Commission Standing Commissioner Cho Hae-joo, Quarantine Planning Officer Ki Mo-ran, and former Chief of Staff Noh Young-min, stating, "Five years ago, when Democratic Party Policy Committee Chairman Yoon Ho-jung said that 'entrenchment and division of spoils were rampant everywhere, causing serious moral hazard,' those words now fully apply to themselves."

Meanwhile, in political circles, speculation arose that personnel issues might have been the reason behind the same-day cancellation of the luncheon meeting between President-elect Yoon and President Moon.