[Current Affairs Show] "Unlikely This Year" -- Will the Special Inspector Appointment Fizzle Out?

In July, President Lee instructed the National Assembly to recommend candidates
Democratic Party shows little action as appointment is delayed
People Power Party: "A declaration to wield unchecked power"

■ Broadcast: The Asia Business Daily 'So Jongseop's Current Affairs Show' (Monday to Friday, 4-5 p.m.)

■ Host: Political Specialist So Jongseop ■ Producer: Park Sumin

"Power should be kept in check, even for the sake of the person holding it. I have instructed the National Assembly to recommend candidates for the special inspector." (President Lee Jaemyung, July 3) "As far as I know, there is no clear proposal yet. I understand that it is still being coordinated." (Spokesperson Kang Yujeong, August 6) "I believe it should be accepted. There must be a disciplinary mechanism within us so that mistakes can be pointed out and the presidential office can operate transparently. Although there has been some stagnation, it is not that the process is not moving forward." (Chief of Staff Kang Hunsik, August 19)

President Lee Jae-myung is responding to a reporter's question at the press conference titled "The President's 30 Days, The Media Asks and the People Answer" held at the Blue House State Guest House on July 3. Photo by Yonhap News

This is the response from the presidential office so far regarding President Lee Jaemyung's promise to appoint a special inspector. Although it seemed that the appointment would happen soon, there are now signs of irregularities in the process. Today, Chosun Ilbo quoted a key lawmaker from the Democratic Party leadership as saying, "It seems unlikely that this will be pursued within this year." In the past, both the Moon Jaein and Yoon Sukyeol administrations promised to appoint a special inspector during their election campaigns and early in their terms, but failed to deliver. There is growing suspicion that the Lee Jaemyung administration may be following the same path.

The special inspector position, with a three-year term, was introduced in 2014 by agreement between the ruling and opposition parties. Lee Seoksu was appointed as the first special inspector in 2015, but resigned in 2016 after conflicts arose, including an investigation into Woo Byungwoo, then Senior Presidential Secretary for Civil Affairs. Although the system remained in place, no one has been appointed as special inspector since then.

Lee Seoksu was appointed as the first special inspector in 2015 but stepped down in 2016 after conflicts with the authorities. Yonhap News Agency

The special inspector's duties include investigating the president's spouse, relatives within the fourth degree of kinship, and public officials at the level of senior presidential secretaries or higher in the presidential office. The special inspector has independent authority to immediately report any suspicions of corruption to the prosecution, making it possible to prevent corruption among the president's close associates. It is virtually the only institutional mechanism that can reliably keep presidential power in check. The key issue is whether a politically neutral figure, regardless of the administration's orientation, can be appointed. It is clear that, for those in power, the special inspector is a burdensome presence.

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As the appointment of the special inspector, which President Lee mentioned in July, shows signs of being delayed until next year, the opposition, centered around the People Power Party, has voiced criticism. Park Sunghoon, Chief Spokesperson for the People Power Party, stated, "Repeatedly postponing the recommendation of a special inspector is a declaration of intent to wield unchecked power. With the possibility that allegations involving President Lee's relatives, including First Lady Kim Hye-kyung, and key aides such as Kim Hyunji, the Chief of the Presidential Secretariat and one of the most powerful figures in the administration, could surface at any time-whether it be preferential appointments, bribery, or abuse of power-being passive about appointing a special inspector to prevent and address such issues is tantamount to declaring that the administration will not accept any oversight."