Kwon Seong-dong, Park Soon-ae on 'Drunk Driving Records': "It Would Have Been Better if Candidates Had No Drunk Driving History"

"Need to verify if there are no other issues"
Presidential Office mentions necessity of prosecution personnel changes
Regarding Lee Jun-seok's trip to Ukraine and party conflicts
"Proof that intra-party democracy is active"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Hyun-ji] Kwon Seong-dong, floor leader of the People Power Party, commented on the past drunk driving record of Park Soon-ae, nominee for Deputy Prime Minister for Social Affairs and Minister of Education, saying on the 6th, "Honestly, it was wrong. It would have been better if the nominee had no history of drunk driving."

At a press conference held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, Kwon stated, "She received a suspended sentence in court, and during the past Moon Jae-in administration, there was a three-strike drunk driving policy. It is right to properly verify through the confirmation hearing whether there are any other issues." It was revealed that Park was caught drunk driving in 2001 and received a suspended sentence. At that time, Park's blood alcohol concentration was 0.251%, which was above the license cancellation standard.

Regarding criticism that many key positions in the presidential office are held by prosecutors, he said, "In the past, even in the Blue House, it is true that at least two or three people in positions such as the Secretary for Civil Affairs and Secretary for Public Service Discipline were from the prosecution." He added, "When I was the legal secretary under MB, the second secretary for civil affairs was also from the prosecution. It is true that many people who participated in the verification bodies were from the prosecution or police who conducted investigations. Since the president is a former prosecutor, for departments where involvement of vested interests could occur and where mistakes could cause significant repercussions, he probably wanted to use trustworthy people who had been verified through working together." He emphasized the necessity of appointing prosecutors and cautioned against overinterpretation.

Regarding National Assembly Deputy Speaker Jeong Jin-seok's criticism of People Power Party leader Lee Jun-seok's visit to Ukraine, he said, "It is evidence of active democracy within the party. I think it is good that anyone, whether the party leader or floor leader, can freely criticize policies." He added, "Solidarity with liberal democratic countries is necessary. Especially on matters related to diplomacy, security, and national defense, close party-government consultation is needed."