"The Return of Failed 'Old Boys' in Foreign Affairs and Unification"
On Retaining Song Miryeong: "A Very Cowardly Stance"
The People Power Party criticized President Lee Jaemyung's appointment of ministers for 11 government ministries, saying, "It feels more like the election campaign committee of the Democratic Party rather than a cabinet."
Song Eonseok, floor leader of the People Power Party, made this remark during a party policy meeting at the National Assembly on this day, stating, "There is public concern that rewards for loyalty may have taken precedence over ability or expertise."
Regarding the nomination of Kim Younghun, former chairman of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, as Minister of Employment and Labor, Song said, "It is particularly concerning to nominate a former KCTU chairman as Minister of Employment and Labor, which is unprecedented," adding, "Some view this as a signal that the political demands of the KCTU will now be fully presented to the government."
On the appointments in the foreign affairs and unification sectors, he said, "This is the return of failed 'old boys,'" and continued, "After nominating Lee Jongseok, a leading pro-autonomy figure from the Roh Moo-hyun administration, as Director of the National Intelligence Service, President Lee has now nominated Jeong Dongyoung, who also served as Minister of Unification under Roh Moo-hyun, to once again head the Ministry of Unification."
Regarding Song Miryeong, the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, who was retained by President Lee, Song pointed out, "Last year, she recommended to President Yoon Suk-yeol that he exercise his veto power on the four agricultural laws and the Agricultural Chamber of Commerce Act, which the Democratic Party had unilaterally passed," and added, "Yesterday, Minister Song stated in the National Assembly that she would pursue the Grain Management Act in a way that aligns with the new government's philosophy, but from the public's perspective, this appears to be a very cowardly stance."
Song further stated, "A minister's philosophy is the government's philosophy," and added, "I hope she will thoroughly explain to the public, based on her own beliefs and philosophy?not anyone else's?regarding the laws for which she previously recommended the president exercise his veto."
Meanwhile, Song also proposed a meeting with Kim Byungki, floor leader of the Democratic Party, before a session presided over by the Speaker of the National Assembly. He said, "I request a meeting with Kim Byungki, the floor leader of the Democratic Party, which is the majority and the largest party in the National Assembly, to discuss the coordination of confirmation hearings, plenary session schedules, and the allocation of standing committee chairmanships."
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