Kim Jong-in: "Han Deok-su Hearing Won't Be a Problem... Focusing on Fiscal Soundness Won't Solve Current Issues"

"Responsibility Prime Minister System, an Issue to Decide After Government Formation"

Former People Power Party Chairman Kim Jong-in

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kang Wooseok] Kim Jong-in, former general election committee chairman of the People Power Party, stated on the 5th that Han Deok-su, the nominee for Prime Minister, is "a person who is fully qualified to serve as Prime Minister" and added, "Since he does not have any major flaws, I believe the confirmation hearing itself will not be a significant issue."

Kim appeared on YTN Radio's 'News King Park Ji-hoon' that day and said, "(Among those mentioned as candidates for Prime Minister) if President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol chose a Prime Minister focused on the economy, I think he made the best choice."

Regarding media reports that Han received 1.8 billion KRW in advisory fees over 4 years and 4 months from Kim & Chang law firm after retiring from public office, Kim said, "Receiving a certain compensation while utilizing his expertise at a law firm during a period without any official position cannot be considered a major flaw," and viewed it as not a big problem.

On suspicions related to the low-price sale involving Lone Star, he defended Han by saying, "I am not sure if the Lone Star issue occurred coincidentally while he was serving as Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, but I believe he is not directly connected to it."

He added, "In the past, ministers or prime ministers were selected through confirmation hearings where personal corruption was routinely investigated, but in that regard, Han Deok-su, the Prime Minister nominee, does not have any significant flaws."

Regarding the 'responsible prime minister system' proposed by President-elect Yoon, Kim evaluated, "Under our country's constitutional system, the Prime Minister does not have much authority to exercise. The term 'responsible prime minister system' is meant to somewhat acknowledge the role of the Prime Minister, but after Han Deok-su is appointed and the government is established, we should observe how the relationship between the President and Prime Minister proceeds before making a judgment. No matter how much you talk about a responsible prime minister now, I think it does not have much significance."

On Han's emphasis on fiscal soundness, Kim expressed concern, saying, "Fiscal soundness is common sense, but if we focus solely on that point given the (COVID-19) situation we are facing, there is no way to solve current issues. If we only consider fiscal soundness, social conflicts and polarization will deepen, and without resolving those problems, other economic policies cannot be properly implemented."

He continued, "For the economic recovery of self-employed and small business owners devastated economically by the COVID-19 crisis, the government promised as a presidential election pledge to compensate for their losses, so I believe that must be fulfilled."

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