President Yoon: "I will use former prosecutors if necessary"

Kang Su-jin Card Still Under Review
Possibility of Korea-Japan Summit Also Suggested

President Yoon Suk-yeol is answering questions from reporters as he arrives at the Yongsan Presidential Office building on the morning of the 9th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporters Ki-min Lee, Bo-ryeong Geum] President Yoon Suk-yeol indicated on the 9th the possibility of additional appointments of former prosecutors. There is also speculation that the possibility of appointing Kang Su-jin, a professor at Korea University Law School and one of the candidates for the Fair Trade Commission chairperson, remains alive.

On the morning of the same day, as President Yoon arrived at the Yongsan Presidential Office building, when reporters asked, "People’s Power Floor Leader Kwon Seong-dong said (President Yoon) would no longer appoint former prosecutors to key positions," he replied, "If necessary, we should."

President Yoon emphasized again, "It has been almost 20 years since Kwon Young-se (Minister of Unification), Won Hee-ryong (Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport), and Park Min-sik (Director of the Veterans Affairs) quit being prosecutors, and some of them have served as governors for three to four terms, so calling them former prosecutors is somewhat misleading. I will only appoint legal professionals to positions that require them."

This drew attention as it contrasts with the ruling party floor leader’s remarks. Earlier, Floor Leader Kwon Seong-dong said on a radio show, "I don’t know until the next personnel appointment, but going forward, he said he would no longer appoint former prosecutors." When criticism arose that ‘the president and the ruling party floor leader’s statements differ,’ Floor Leader Kwon explained, "It’s the same context." President Yoon said he would appoint former prosecutors if necessary in the future, while Floor Leader Kwon emphasized that at the current moment, ‘for the time being,’ there would be none.

Following President Yoon’s remarks, the prevailing view is that the possibility of appointing Professor Kang as the new Fair Trade Commission chairperson still remains. President Yoon had already mentioned long-retired prosecutors serving as cabinet members and emphasized, "If necessary, we should." Professor Kang was appointed as a prosecutor at the Seoul District Prosecutors’ Office in 1995 and became a lawyer in 2004. A ruling party official also said, "Professor Kang is still among the candidates for the Fair Trade Commission chairperson," adding, "Currently, personnel vetting is underway for three candidates including him."

President Yoon also hinted at the possibility of a Korea-Japan summit. When asked about attending the NATO summit scheduled for the 29th-30th in Madrid, Spain, he said, "We are preparing, but it is still difficult to say it is confirmed," showing a positive stance. Since Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio has already expressed his intention to attend the NATO summit, the possibility of a meeting between the Korea and Japan leaders has increased.

However, difficult issues remain unresolved, such as the comfort women issue and compensation for forced labor victims. President Yoon responded, "I expect that historical issues will be resolved smoothly between Korea and Japan in the spirit of cooperation for the future."

The Presidential Office is preparing for the trip centered on the National Security Office.

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