Presidential Office: "Appointments Made During Martial Law Are Serious... Terms Must Be Aligned"

Woo Sangho, Senior Secretary for Political Affairs at the Presidential Office, is attending the 8th Senior Secretary and Aide Meeting held at the Presidential Office building in Yongsan, Seoul on the 21st. Photo by Yonhap News

On August 21, the Presidential Office asserted that the terms of the president and public institution heads should be aligned.

Woo Sangho, Senior Secretary for Political Affairs, held a briefing at the Presidential Office in Yongsan that day and stated, "The prevailing public opinion is that public institutions, which are operated with taxpayers' money, should consistently reflect the governing philosophy of the president elected by the people," adding, "I believe that those who fully understand the president's philosophy should be able to serve as executives of public institutions."

Woo continued, "There are ongoing assessments that the heads of public institutions appointed during the Lee Jaemyung administration are not willing to align with the governing philosophy of the current government, which is based on popular sovereignty," and expressed regret, saying, "It is unfortunate that due to institutional issues, unproductive controversies are repeated every time there is a change in administration."

He further emphasized, "When I was the interim leader of the opposition party in the past, I was the first to raise this issue," and added, "Even as the opposition, I argued that the terms of public institution heads and the president should be aligned through bipartisan agreement, in response to the controversy over the tenure of public institution heads during the Moon Jaein administration."

Woo stated, "My position remains the same," and pointed out, "In particular, the issue of institution heads appointed during the chaos of martial law and impeachment should be viewed seriously." He went on to criticize, saying, "It is a direct challenge to the will of the people, who punished unconstitutional martial law through impeachment, and for an acting authority to exercise powers beyond maintaining the status quo during a vacancy in the appointing authority is an appointment that exceeds constitutional limits."

Woo added, "I understand that multiple bills to amend the relevant laws have been introduced in the 22nd National Assembly," and earnestly requested, "I sincerely ask both parties to come together in dialogue and wisdom to finally put an end to these recurring and unproductive debates."