Jeon Hyun-hee and Han Sang-hyuk Resignation Sparks Tension... Ruling Party: "Can Institutions Function?" Opposition: "Judicial Destructive Act"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] The ruling and opposition parties are engaged in a tense standoff over the issue of the tenure of heads of institutions appointed during the Moon Jae-in administration. The Democratic Party of Korea criticized the forced resignation of institution heads with remaining terms, referring to the investigation into former Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Baek Woon-gyu for allegedly coercing public institution heads to resign, calling it judicial destruction. The People Power Party pressured for resignations, citing matters of conscience and cooperation between the institutions and the government.

On the 20th, Kim Hyun-jung, a member of the Democratic Party’s Emergency Response Committee, said at a party meeting held at the National Assembly, "The Yoon Seok-yeol administration is excluding former Chairperson Jeon Hyun-hee of the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission and Han Sang-hyuk of the Korea Communications Commission from attending Cabinet meetings, and People Power Party affiliates are continuously pressuring them to resign." She added, "Regarding former Minister Baek, a warrant for arrest was requested on the grounds that he forced heads of affiliated public institutions with remaining terms to resign, but it was dismissed, raising criticism of political retaliation." She continued, "If actions by People Power Party officials under the Yoon Seok-yeol administration are considered acceptable but the same actions by others are deemed crimes, this is judicial destruction in a prosecutorial republic," urging, "The Yoon Seok-yeol administration and prosecutors must immediately cease political retaliation and judicial destruction."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the other hand, the ruling party has stepped up pressure for the resignations of former Chairperson Jeon and Chairperson Han. Ha Tae-kyung, a member of the People Power Party, appeared on a radio show that day and said, "They should make their own judgment," adding, "These individuals have such strong political colors that they cannot cooperate with the Yoon Seok-yeol administration." He further mentioned, "They need government cooperation, including budget and various other matters, so how can the institution’s work proceed well?"

Ha said, "Former Chairperson Jeon has been continuously running for office and is going to head an institution, but their political colors are very clear," adding, "Career civil servants (neulgong) being in those positions is not a problem. However, appointed civil servants (eogong) should all make judgments according to their conscience."