Opposition ups protest, threatens to boycott presidential dinner
As President Park Geun-hye’s final appointment of controversial oceans minister-nominee Yoon Jin-sook appeared imminent Monday, the opposition Democratic United Party upped their voice of disapproval, citing Yoon’s incompetence.
Calling on Park once again to reconsider her choice, the DUP warned it would boycott the presidential dinner scheduled for Tuesday if Park goes ahead with the designation, indicating an extended attack against the president’s “obstinate” appointment style.
The ruling Saenuri Party has also expressed concerns over the appointment, most recently when floor leader Lee Hahn-koo said Sunday that he was afraid Yoon would become an “impotent minister” if confirmed to the post.
Yoon broke her silence on Monday for the first time since the bitter confirmation hearing on April 2 when she was seen to shrug off, laugh off or mumble at many of the lawmakers’ basic questions related to harbor and maritime affairs, such as what her vision for building ocean capital was, or what her major projects to develop the fishing industry would be.
“Although as a minister I would need many virtues, I believe that the most important of all would be expertise or policymaking abilities,” Yoon said in a radio interview, adding that she was confident in her capacities.
“I have been dedicated to research on maritime and fisheries for the past 17 years and have participated in the ministries’ policymaking processes, and I therefore have no problem in expertise,” Yoon said, although she admitted, “I somewhat lack ability in political affairs.”
The National Assembly has refused to approve the remaining two designations, of Yoon and of Choi Moon-ki, who is tapped to head the Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning. The opposition has opposed both, citing inadequacy and ethical lapses.
By law, the president can ask the National Assembly one more time to confirm her appointment if the confirmation report is not approved 20 days after it was submitted to parliament. From that moment on, the president can go ahead and confirm the nominee to the post regardless of the parliamentary decision. It was widely anticipated that Park would begin the procedure on Monday in time for the Cabinet meeting on Tuesday.
Park has been showing a reconciliatory approach to the political parties since early this month, inviting the major parties’ leadership for dinner. But it also appeared apparent she wished to stick with Yoon, telling the attendants at the dinner with the DUP leadership, “(Although Yoon) is not without abilities, she (told me) that she went blank at the confirmation hearing as she felt flustered.”
The DUP remained adamant against the former director at the Korea Maritime Institute.
“President Park Geun-hye must listen to the voice of the opposition and the people and withdraw her nomination of candidate Yoon,” DUP interim leader Moon Hee-sang said.
“Withdrawing the nomination of Yoon will become a turning point to recover from the repeated personnel failures,” Moon said, referring to a handful of resignations of Cabinet member-nominees during the first two months of Park’s administration over personal reasons or insufficient vetting processes.
DUP floor leader Park Ki-choon said his party may refuse to attend the next scheduled dinner with the president if Park chooses to go ahead with appointing Yoon.
The Saenuri Party appeared equally uncomfortable with Park’s choice.
In a telephone conversation with vernacular daily Chosun Ilbo, Lee Hahn-koo was quoted as saying, “Even if Yoon is named to the post, it is worrisome that she might become an impotent minister who cannot properly conduct her duty.”
He went on to say that while they had little choice if the president wishes to bulldoze through her appointment, it would have a negative impact on the ruling party, especially ahead of the May 24 by-election.
koreaherald@heraldcorp.com
