Presidential Office: "Heads of Public Institutions Should Step Down with Change of Administration"
Majority of People Power Party Lawmakers Also Agree
Former Daegu Mayor Hong Junpyo pointed out that it is appropriate for political appointees and heads of public institutions to voluntarily step down when there is a change in administration. This view aligns with recent statements made by the leadership of the ruling party, including Kim Byungki, Floor Leader of the Democratic Party of Korea.
On August 22, Hong Junpyo stated on his Facebook page, "Most political appointees and heads of public institutions are appointed because they align with the administration rather than for their expertise. It is unreasonable for them to cling to their positions citing their terms, even after a new administration has taken office."
He continued, "During the Yoon Sukyeol administration, Jeon Hyunhee, then Chairperson of the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission, did just that. When I was Daegu mayor, the very first thing I did was to enact an ordinance to align terms, so that when a new mayor was elected, the terms of political appointees and heads of public institutions appointed by the previous mayor would automatically end."
He added, "That is in line with responsible politics. It is undesirable for officials from the previous administration to hold onto their positions and resist the new administration, which has a different philosophy. Even if it is late, I hope the alignment of terms will be legislated, so that such unseemly power struggles between outgoing and incoming administrations can be eliminated, regardless of whether it is under a Democratic Party government."
Presidential Office: "Terms of Public Institution Heads Should Align with Presidential Term"... Ruling Party Agrees to Legislation
The Presidential Office recently expressed the same position as former Mayor Hong Junpyo, stating that the terms of heads of public institutions should be aligned with the presidential term to consistently reflect the administration's philosophy.
On August 21, Woo Sangho, Senior Secretary for Political Affairs to the President, said during a briefing, "There are evaluations that heads of public institutions appointed by the previous administration are not aligned with the philosophy of the current government, which is based on the sovereignty of the people. It is regrettable that these unproductive debates keep recurring."
He particularly emphasized, "Most public institutions are operated with taxpayers' money, and the prevailing public opinion is that they should consistently reflect the philosophy of the president elected by the people. Therefore, those who thoroughly understand the president's philosophy should serve as executives."
He also conveyed that many senior members of the People Power Party expressed agreement. Woo Sangho stated, "When I spoke individually with senior members of the People Power Party, they agreed on the necessity, but questioned whether the opposition would accept such a proposal if it came from the Democratic Party administration. So I reminded them that the Democratic Party made this argument when it was in the opposition, and urged bipartisan agreement on the matter."
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