Conflict over Appointment Process of 2nd Truth and Reconciliation Commission Secretary-General... Breakdown after 4 Weeks

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Jung-yoon] The 2nd Truth and Reconciliation Commission for Past Affairs (Truth and Reconciliation Commission), which began its activities last month with the appointment of members, has faced a deadlock. This is due to opposition from members recommended by the People Power Party regarding the appointment procedure of the new Secretary-General.

On the 16th, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission held its 4th meeting, where Chairman Jeong Geun-sik, four members recommended by the ruling party (Standing Member Lee Jae-seung, Lee Sang-hee, Lim Seung-cheol, and Choi Kwang-jun), and two members recommended by the opposition party (Standing Member Kim Kwang-dong and Lee Ok-nam) attended. They voted 5 to 2 to leave the decision on the Secretary-General's nomination to the chairman.

Among the four opposition-recommended members, Lee Soon-dong did not attend the meeting, and Cha Ki-hwan reportedly left before the vote. After the opposition members failed to push for a proposal to receive new candidates for Secretary-General and conduct an open recruitment, Lee Soon-dong expressed his intention to resign just one month after the appointment.

Lee stated, "The Truth and Reconciliation Commission, dominated by pro-government members, selected Secretary-General candidates who can effectively control the commission's operations," and "By pre-selecting specific individuals without going through a fair process such as open recruitment before the commission began its activities, the commission was deprived of the authority to select appropriate personnel," according to reports.

According to the Past Affairs Settlement Act, the Secretary-General of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission is appointed by the President upon the chairman's recommendation after deliberation by the commission.

Opposition-recommended members argue that the commission should actively deliberate on the suitability of candidates, while ruling party-recommended members counter with the claim that "the appointment of the Secretary-General is at the chairman's discretion," and it is reported that the differences in opinion have not been easily resolved over the past four weeks.

Meanwhile, at this meeting, a proposal allowing the chairman to rank two Secretary-General candidates and exercise the right of recommendation was approved. The new Secretary-General is expected to be appointed from among Song Sang-kyo, former Secretary-General of the Lawyers for a Democratic Society, and Lee Chang-soo, head of the Corporate Rights Society Research Institute.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.