Cheong "If Yoon's Alumni and Classmates Are Appointed in the New Government, Is It Entrenchment and Parachuting?"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] On the 4th, the Blue House strongly rebutted the controversy surrounding personnel appointments at Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME), saying, "Is appointing President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol's university alumni and classmates to the new government considered entrenchment and parachuting?"

Park Soo-hyun, the Blue House Chief of Public Communication, appeared on CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show' that day and said, "Continuously embarrassing a president who is finishing his term with such suspicion is inappropriate considering the busy steps the new government must take."

Earlier, the transition team labeled Park Doo-sun, the new CEO of DSME, as an 'entrenchment appointment,' citing that he was a classmate of President Moon Jae-in's younger brother, and requested an audit from the Board of Audit and Inspection. In response, the Blue House expressed displeasure, stating, "It is surprising that the transition team had their eyes on the DSME president position," and demanded an apology from the transition team.

Chief Park pointed out, "The transition team's announcement only says 'it is suspicious,'" adding, "The president has neither been involved in nor could be involved in personnel appointments. It is completely untrue."

He further questioned, "Are the president-elect's university classmates and alumni not allowed to be appointed to the new government? If so, would that be considered entrenchment and parachuting? What would they do if we say that?"

Chief Park explained that DSME's decision to appoint Park as CEO was based on "the judgment that an internal management expert is needed to quickly revive DSME amid the recovering shipbuilding market," emphasizing, "DSME is a clear private company under the Commercial Act and Capital Market Act, so I don't understand how the president could exercise personnel authority."

However, he left open the possibility regarding the transition team's request for approval of contingency funds for relocating the Yongsan office. Chief Park said, "As of now, I understand it has not been included in the Cabinet meeting agenda on the 5th," but added, "Depending on today's situation, it could be submitted tomorrow, or if not tomorrow, a temporary Cabinet meeting could be held during the week."

The Blue House and the transition team are scheduled to continue discussions on the contingency fund submission that day. Regarding reports that both sides agreed to submit contingency funds amounting to 30 billion won excluding the Joint Chiefs of Staff relocation costs, Chief Park indicated, "We will only know once it is submitted," suggesting that it could change depending on the negotiations.