Hongkeun Park: "Yoon's Personnel Approach Self-Proves Concerns of a Prosecutor Republic" (Comprehensive)

Park Hong-geun's Press Briefing on the 8th
The Party Will Conduct a Comprehensive Evaluation Through Official Assessment Bodies
On Criticism That 'Woo Sang-ho Emergency Committee' Fades 586 Resignation Theory
Emphasizes the Importance of Practical Conflict Resolution Skills

Park Hong-geun, Acting Leader and Floor Leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, holds a press conference on urgent issues including the formation of an Emergency Response Committee at the National Assembly on the 8th. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Koo Chae-eun] Park Hong-geun, Acting Leader and Floor Leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, criticized President Yoon Suk-yeol's personnel appointment method on the 8th, saying it "proves the public's concern that (South Korea) is becoming a Prosecutor's Republic."

At a press briefing that day, Floor Leader Park said, "President Yoon Suk-yeol's personnel style and perception are deeply worrisome. Even conservative media criticize that key positions are all occupied by former prosecutors." He pointed out, "He appointed all six key figures from the prosecution. From the Financial Supervisory Service chief to the Fair Trade Commission chairman, they are all former prosecutors. I think this is excessive. Is it really necessary to go this far?"

Regarding President Yoon's comment to reporters that morning about the criticism of prosecutor-heavy appointments, saying, "In the past, didn't those from Minbyun dominate?" Park said, "Is Minbyun a state or power institution? Isn't it literally a social organization?" calling it an inappropriate comparison. He added, "And he should just do things differently from the previous administration, but saying 'the previous government did this, so I will do it too' is a simplistic approach."

Park said, "We had early expectations that since President Yoon is a former chief prosecutor, he would employ the most capable people from various fields regardless of political orientation," adding, "He talked about pragmatism, which I agreed with, but now it seems he intends to appoint only those he knows, who work well with him, and whom he trusts."

Regarding the claim that an investigation is needed into the nomination process of Senior Advisor Lee Jae-myung and former candidate Song, he said, "I think investigating the nomination process is excessive." Floor Leader Park explained, "From the Moon Jae-in government, which started with the candlelight protests, to the recent local election defeat, the entire process should be thoroughly and unrestrictedly evaluated. It would be appropriate for the party to form an official and responsible body to conduct the evaluation," adding, "The specific scope, method, and content of the evaluation should be discussed by the Emergency Committee and the evaluation body."

He added, "This issue is directly related to party reform. Reform based on evaluation, reflection, and introspection is necessary."

Regarding concerns that reform efforts might be limited because Representative Woo Sang-ho, appointed as Emergency Committee Chair, is part of the '86 Group,' he explained, "Representative Woo declared he would not run in the general election and has relinquished vested interests. He maintains good relations with party members and remained neutral during the presidential primary, so he can overcome the crisis with leadership that promotes harmony."

Floor Leader Park stated another major task of the Emergency Committee is to "manage the upcoming party convention (scheduled for August) very fairly and properly. The leadership that will lead the party for the next two years must be responsibly elected."

Regarding calls within the party to revise the party convention rules, such as expanding the proportion of votes from party members with voting rights, he said, "During the preparation for the party convention, calls for rule amendments always arise. This is a natural claim in a democratic party," adding, "We should keep the process open and review it thoroughly."

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