"Bureaucrats Lack the 'Muscle of Politicians'" Criticism Raised
Comparison Drawn Between Han Deok-su's Presidential Bid and Ban Ki-moon
Regarding the 'presidential election candidacy rumor' of Acting President and Prime Minister Han Deok-su, which has emerged from some quarters of the political sphere, Jin Joong-kwon, a special professor at Kwangwoon University, criticized, saying, "It is not a political responsibility for the prime minister of an impeached administration to become the next president." On the 15th, Professor Jin appeared on Sisa Journal TV's 'Sisa Kkeutjjang' and pointed out, "In the event of the president's incapacitation, the acting president must manage the election," adding, "But it is ridiculous for him to run in the election he announced himself."
Regarding the 'presidential election candidacy rumor' of Han Duck-soo, Acting President and Prime Minister, circulating in some political circles, Jin Joong-kwon, Special Professor at Kwangwoon University, criticized, "It is not a political responsibility for the prime minister of an impeached administration to become the next president." Photo by Yoon Dong-joo
Professor Jin noted the situation, saying, "Acting President Han gained favor from 'conservative core voters' by nominating Lee Wan-gyu, a conservative-leaning candidate for constitutional court justice and head of the Legislation Office, and Ham Sang-hoon, chief judge of the Seoul High Court," and added, "His stability as an elite bureaucrat appeals to the moderate voters." He continued, "If he is the prime minister of an impeached administration, he should be part of the president's 'sunjangjo' (a group of aides who stay from beginning to end)," and criticized, "(Running for president) is really unbecoming." Furthermore, referring to Ban Ki-moon, former UN Secretary-General, who hinted at running in the 2017 presidential election but withdrew after three weeks, Professor Jin said, "Bureaucrats lack the 'muscle of politicians,'" and "They dislike fighting and prefer to quietly do their own work."
Acting President and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, who returned to duty after the Constitutional Court dismissed the impeachment motion, is going to work at the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the 24th, returning after 87 days. Photo by Jo Yong-jun
He added, "As a result, they sometimes collapse not from a counterpunch but from a few jabs," and predicted, "Especially the Democratic Party are masters of mudslinging. It seems they are targeting Acting President Han's wife, and ultimately, Han may collapse powerless." Finally, Professor Jin said, "There is an undercurrent where some members of the People Power Party are encouraging Acting President Han's candidacy to protect their vested interests," and added, "It seems the scenario is that Han will run as an independent and later unify with the People Power Party candidate."
Meanwhile, a poll released on the 16th showed that Acting President and Prime Minister Han Deok-su ranked first in suitability among conservative candidates, surpassing former Minister of Employment and Labor Kim Moon-soo. According to a survey conducted by Jo Won C&I on behalf of Straight News from the 13th to 14th, targeting 1,023 nationwide voters aged 18 and over who agreed with the 'conservative candidate's election,' the suitability ratings for conservative candidates were 29.6% for Acting President Han, 21.5% for former Minister Kim Moon-soo, and 14.1% for former People Power Party leader Han Dong-hoon. Former Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo followed with 10.9%, and People Power Party lawmaker Na Kyung-won with 7.0%. Among People Power Party supporters, the responses were 31.9% for Acting President Han, 22.8% for former Minister Kim, 15.0% for former leader Han, 11.9% for former Mayor Hong, and 7.4% for lawmaker Na. This survey was conducted via ARS polling (100% RDD method on mobile phones). The margin of error is ±3.1 percentage points at a 95% confidence level, with a response rate of 4.6%.
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