Mentioning the Kang Jinwook Appointment Controversy
Emphasizing the Need to Refine the Personnel Verification System
Lee Eonju, Supreme Council member of the Democratic Party of Korea, addressed the controversy surrounding personnel appointments in the Lee Jaemyung administration on July 23, stating, "If there are aspects such as the personnel verification system that have not met public expectations, I would like to express my apologies as a member of the ruling party's leadership."
During the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly that day, Lee said, "There is significant public interest regarding the appointments in the Lee Jaemyung administration, and it is true that concerns have been raised about certain individuals." She made these remarks while noting the fact that the current administration was launched without a transition committee. Her apology regarding personnel matters as a member of the ruling party's leadership drew attention.
Lee specifically addressed the controversy over the appointment of former secretary Kang Jinwook, who has a history of defending the 12·3 Martial Law, and raised this issue. She stated, "When advocating for national unity, it is necessary to reconsider the meaning of such unity," adding, "In particular, there is a need to clarify the standards of unity when it comes to appointments of high-ranking public officials."
Regarding unity, she said, "I believe that national unity means bringing together people with different backgrounds, genders, ages, occupations, origins, ideologies, and ways of thinking, so that under a common goal and social consensus, we can move forward together for national development." She emphasized, "What is important here is the common goal and social consensus. Therefore, such a minimum goal and social consensus should serve as the boundaries of unity."
She continued, "This administration was launched with the constitutional mission of ending insurrection and restoring constitutional order," and added, "From the perspective of restoring constitutional order, it is difficult to consider those who have supported actions that go beyond constitutional order, such as coups or insurrections, as subjects of unity. Even if we make every concession, it is problematic for such individuals to be recommended for high-ranking public office."
Lee also called for strengthening the personnel verification system in this context. She said, "I believe this is an opportunity to further refine the personnel verification system."
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