[Interview] Park Juseon: "If President-elect Yoon Governs with the Attitude of Learning from Former President Moon, He Will Succeed"

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Park Juseon, Chairman of the Presidential Inauguration Preparation Committee, is being interviewed on the 17th at Shilla Stay in Gangnam-gu, Seoul. Photo by Kang Jinhyung aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporters Naju-seok and Kwon Hyun-ji] "President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol is talking about fairness and common sense, justice and the rule of law, integration and harmony as the direction for national governance. If he properly implements just these, he will be regarded as a successful president."

On the 18th, Park Joo-sun, chairman of the Presidential Inauguration Preparation Committee, spoke about the conditions for the next government's success in an interview held at a hotel in Samseong-dong, Seoul, and introduced that the vision the president-elect has revealed will be included in the inaugural address. Chairman Park said, "A successful government has conditions such as fulfilling the people's hopes and pledges, implementing policies that promise strong national security and a happy future for the people, and conducting personnel appointments fairly and according to principles," adding, "The president-elect's spirit and the foundation of that spirit will be the inaugural address that reports policies to the people."

Accordingly, he explained, "We will establish an organic relationship with the Presidential Transition Committee and the president-elect's secretariat to present the president-elect's five-year national philosophy and vision."

The inauguration preparation committee is currently in the process of personnel appointments. Regarding the appointment of eight preparation committee members, he said, "Only Lee Do-hoon, the president-elect's special advisor, has been appointed," and introduced, "This advisor holds a doctorate in literature and was an expert in event planning who participated in the previous Pyeongchang Winter Olympics. We requested him to take on the role of general director of the inauguration ceremony, and he agreed." Once the organization is established, the first consideration will be the venue. Chairman Park said, "Once the inauguration preparation committee is formed, the first decision will be where to hold the inauguration ceremony, but it is not an easy matter," adding, "There are concerns and worries about whether a large-scale outdoor inauguration event can be held, considering the COVID-19 situation, the related quarantine rules under 'With Corona,' and whether the spread will continue during the seasonal transition." It is expected that venues such as the National Assembly will be reviewed based on past precedents.

Regarding the background of taking on the role of chairman of the inauguration preparation committee, which shows the blueprint of the new government to the people, he cited his understanding of the president-elect's philosophy and his long political experience as vice chairman of the National Assembly and party leader. Chairman Park said, "During the presidential election campaign, I discussed the president-elect Yoon's political ideas and philosophical vision, so I know the overall plan and philosophy. Having served as an active politician for a considerable period, I understand what the people want well, and I was asked to combine these to create the inaugural address."

Park Juseon, Chairman of the Presidential Inauguration Preparation Committee, is being interviewed on the 17th at Shilla Stay in Gangnam-gu, Seoul. Photo by Kang Jinhyung aymsdream@

When asked what lessons could be learned from the Moon Jae-in administration, Chairman Park mentioned 'banmyeon gyosa' (反面敎師, learning from others' negative aspects). He said, "It gave a lesson of a solemn awakening that the government should not be incompetent, irresponsible, and dogmatic like the Moon Jae-in administration," adding, "President Moon showed that there is a big difference between delivering an inaugural address and having the will to implement it." Chairman Park said, "The inaugural address was good, but the substance of the inaugural address was almost nonexistent," and added, "Some say to include only what can be kept rather than grand words, and I understand what they mean. But the better the inaugural address, the better." He said, "The president must be one who recognizes the will, determination, and the gravity of the promise to definitely keep that good inaugural address."

Regarding speculation about the appointment of the first prime minister of the new government, he showed a cautious attitude. He said, "I am a person lacking in many ways, so I do not dream of being prime minister," adding, "If it can help the success of the Yoon Seok-yeol government, I think it is my mission to play even a small role."

Park, who helped the president-elect's campaign as an unaffiliated outsider in the last presidential election, said, "I have no intention of entering politics in the future and am not considering joining a party," but added, "Political reform is a hot topic in the political world, and I think real political reform, not just lip service, must be achieved." He said, "Politics focused on centrism, pragmatism, and people's livelihood and politics based on consultation are needed rather than ideology-driven politics," and added, "Although I have left politics, if my role is needed, I think I have a duty and responsibility."

Meanwhile, he explained, "Some call it the inauguration ceremony preparation committee, but legally it is the inauguration preparation committee," adding, "Within the inauguration preparation committee, preparations for the inauguration ceremony and the inaugural address are carried out."

Below is a Q&A.

- During the Kim Dae-jung administration, the Civil Affairs Office was also abolished. You served as the legal secretary at that time.

▲ During the election period, former President Kim Dae-jung said that the Blue House should not become a symbol of power and decided to abolish the Civil Affairs Office to create a smaller Blue House. However, after becoming president, it turned out that the Civil Affairs Office was necessary. So, I was appointed as the legal secretary, performing the role of chief secretary. It was a position combining the personnel chief and civil affairs chief.

- The president-elect also advocates abolishing the Civil Affairs Office. Is it for the same reason?

▲ The president-elect has publicly declared the intention to abolish it, and I agree. The original function of the Civil Affairs Office is to be the president's eyes and ears. The goal is to reflect the people's situations and lives in policies by acting as the president's eyes and ears and to establish public service discipline. However, under the Moon Jae-in administration, the office abused the president's position, engaged in improper power exercises, collected information infringing on personal privacy, interfered in legitimate power exercises including the prosecution, and focused on regime maintenance as a single purpose, failing its original function. Due to illegal and unlawful acts, the existence of the Civil Affairs Office caused harm rather than help to national governance.

During the Moon Jae-in administration, over 30 people failed to pass the National Assembly hearings or were judged unfit, but appointments were forced. Because of such unfairness, many people question the necessity of the Civil Affairs Office. However, the personnel screening function of the Civil Affairs Office is essential. While this function can be dispersed to avoid concentration of power, it must be handled by some agency within the government.

- What must be done for the Yoon Seok-yeol government to succeed?

▲ A successful government fulfills the people's hopes and pledges, implements policies promising strong national security and a happy future for the people, and conducts personnel appointments fairly and according to principles. The Moon Jae-in administration has no such achievements. If the new government governs with the attitude of learning from the Moon administration's mistakes as a negative example, it will be a successful government.

- Will the inauguration ceremony be held at the National Assembly again?

▲ Once the inauguration preparation committee is formed, the first decision will be where to hold the inauguration ceremony. We plan to prepare a proposal within next week and get the president-elect's decision. However, deciding the venue is not an easy matter. There are concerns about whether a large-scale outdoor inauguration event can be held due to COVID-19 quarantine rules under 'With Corona' and the possibility of a resurgence in spring during the seasonal transition. The National Assembly is one of the venues under consideration. We will survey various venues next week, analyze their pros and cons, and present them to the president-elect for a decision.

- The president-elect made efforts by visiting Honam during the campaign, and many Honam figures are included in personnel appointments.

▲ The president-elect spent a lot of time in Honam during the campaign. He visited former President Kim Dae-jung's birthplace and repeatedly declared his intention to inherit the spirit of forgiveness, reconciliation, and integration. Many in Honam sympathized with this, resulting in the highest vote share ever for a conservative candidate. Regarding personnel appointments, the president-elect prioritizes ability and experience. Since he emphasized national integration, appointing Honam figures is consistent with his personnel criteria, selecting capable people and including Honam individuals among them. This reflects his intention to set an example of national integration through personnel appointments.

- You are from a prosecution background but also known for a difficult relationship with the prosecution. What is your view on prosecution reform?

▲ I was detained four times and acquitted four times. The prosecution should have been impartial and strict in law enforcement but became a political tool, conducting biased and distorted investigations, resulting in acquittals in court. True prosecution reform means preventing victims like me from emerging. The prosecution shows a lukewarm attitude toward investigating corruption and especially the ruling party's living powers, often just pretending to investigate. Prosecution reform is still far away. Unless the prosecution changes its attitude and sense of accountability, true reform cannot be said to have been achieved.

- What about Prosecutor General Kim Oh-soo's term issue?

▲ The term system should be respected and observed. However, I think the prosecution must reflect on whether it is exercising prosecutorial power to meet the people's expectations. Measures to regain public trust should be taken even now. (What measures?) Even now, the prosecution should strictly exercise its power and thoroughly investigate important allegations that have attracted public attention.

- The period overlaps between the current and next powers. The luncheon between the president and president-elect was scheduled but postponed.

▲ The nation must be eternal. When a term ends, a new government must come in. The so-called transfer of power should not cause a break in national governance. The outgoing and incoming presidents should show an attitude of harmony, deliberation, and cooperation for better governance. If vacancies are prolonged near the end of the current administration, appointments must be made inevitably. However, the outgoing and incoming presidents should agree and deliberate on appointments and authority exercises for efficient governance and national continuity. It is shameful if the current president and president-elect clash over personnel and authority exercises.

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