Choi Kang-wook: "Kim Ki-hyun Suddenly Talked About Minister Replacement to the President"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Cheol-eung] Kim Ki-hyun, acting leader of the People Power Party and floor leader, reportedly insisted on replacing the Minister of the Interior and Safety and the Minister of Justice during a luncheon meeting with the five party leaders presided over by President Moon Jae-in at the Blue House on the 26th, according to Choi Kang-wook, leader of the Open Democratic Party.

On the 27th, Choi appeared on KBS Radio's 'Choi Kyung-young's Strong Current Affairs' and responded to the question, "Did Acting Leader Kim Ki-hyun also say to replace the ministers for fair election management?" by saying, "Yes. He said that out of the blue."

He continued, "It was part of the usual explanation given after the summit explaining the achievements of the visit to the U.S., but suddenly he said that the ministers managing the election?the Minister of the Interior and Safety and the Minister of Justice?are members of the National Assembly affiliated with the Democratic Party of Korea, so they cannot be trusted, and therefore they should be replaced."

He added, "He said that under these circumstances, it would be difficult to recognize the legitimacy of the election results. Then he even mentioned the standing member of the Central Election Commission, asking if they were from a certain campaign. Although it is true that the name was on some list at the time, it was revealed during the confirmation hearing that the person had never actually participated or been involved in the campaign, but he raised such issues in that manner."

Choi said, "President Moon himself has a specific party affiliation and was elected as a candidate of a particular party. In the U.S., the president even campaigns actively. Does that mean that because the U.S. president significantly infringes on election neutrality and undermines fairness, we cannot trust U.S. elections?"

He also said, "We have now moved beyond that level. According to the Constitution, members of the National Assembly can concurrently serve as cabinet members, and it is the basic duty of those cabinet members to maintain election fairness through political neutrality. Raising issues even to that extent is regrettable. This was the explanation given."

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