Another Controversy Over Prosecutor-Origin Appointments... Yoon Says "In the Past, It Was Filled with Minbyun"

Rebutting Criticism of Prosecutor-Dominated Appointments
"Widely Entered Politics in the U.S."
Regarding the Appointment of Lee Bok-hyun as Financial Supervisory Service Chief
"I Think He Is a Very Suitable Candidate"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] On the 8th, President Yoon Suk-yeol responded to criticism that appointments are repeatedly biased toward former prosecutors, including the newly appointed Financial Supervisory Service (FSS) Governor Lee Bok-hyun, by saying, "In the past, didn't those from Minbyun (Lawyers for a Democratic Society) completely cover key positions?"

He dismissed concerns that former prosecutors are occupying key posts. This is interpreted as his intention to uphold the principle of "appointing based on ability." In particular, regarding the appointment of the FSS Governor, he described it as a "very appropriate appointment," emphasizing the policy to strengthen discipline at the FSS.

On the morning of the same day, while heading to the Yongsan Presidential Office building, President Yoon told reporters, "There is criticism that the pool of personnel for the president is too narrow due to repeated appointments of prosecutors," and added, "If you look at countries like the United States, people with government attorney experience are widely active in politics and government," and questioned, "Isn't that the rule of law?"

President Yoon also responded the previous day to questions about the bias toward former prosecutors by saying, "The personnel principle is to place capable people in the right positions."

Regarding the appointment of the new FSS Governor, he also said it was "appropriate," showing no concern about evaluations that the focus might shift from 'supervision' to 'investigation.'

President Yoon said, "Institutions like the FSS or the Fair Trade Commission are regulatory agencies that must operate predictably based on due process and legal standards," and added, "People who have handled law enforcement are very suitable to go there and demonstrate their capabilities."

He continued, "Governor Lee majored in economics and accounting, and he has extensive experience collaborating with the FSS during long years of financial investigation activities," emphasizing, "Because he is an expert in financial supervision, regulation, and market investigation, I think he is a very suitable person."

The appointment of a former prosecutor as FSS Governor is the first since the FSS was established in 1999. Governor Lee is known as a representative member of the 'Yoon Suk-yeol faction,' having worked closely with President Yoon during his time as a prosecutor. He led the investigation into the Samsung BioLogics accounting fraud case and indicted Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong without detention in connection with allegations of illegal mergers and accounting fraud within the Samsung Group, during which he also collaborated with the FSS.

Within the ruling party, the appointment is seen as a move to kickstart reform of the FSS. A ruling party official said, "Even looking at the Lime and Optimus scandals, the FSS was powerless," and added, "High-intensity reforms will be implemented."

On the same day, Kwon Seong-dong, floor leader of the People Power Party, also pointed out that the FSS was insufficient in preventing or responding to the Lime and Optimus scandals. He said, "If the FSS fails to properly perform its inherent functions, it is necessary to bring in external personnel to review those areas. Reform is needed," and added, "In that context, former prosecutor Lee, who is a certified public accountant and conducted financial investigations, was appointed as FSS Governor."

The position of Fair Trade Commission Chairman also remains likely to be filled by a former prosecutor. When asked if Professor Kang Soo-jin of Korea University Law School was excluded from the candidate pool for the Fair Trade Commission Chair because she is a former prosecutor, President Yoon said, "Not at all."

Regarding the possibility of pardoning former President Lee Myung-bak, President Yoon drew a line by saying, "I don't think this is a matter to be discussed now."

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