President Yoon on Appointing Park Soon-ae and Kim Seung-hee: "Will Decide After Returning from NATO"

Resubmission Deadline on the 29th... Appointment May Be Forced Immediately After the Tour if the Hearing Fails

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Baek Kyunghwan] President Yoon Suk-yeol postponed the appointment decision for public office candidates, including Park Soon-ae, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education nominee, until after the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) summit. The National Assembly has yet to set hearing dates for these candidates, including Kim Seung-hee, Minister of Health and Welfare nominee, and Kim Seung-gyeom, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff nominee.

On the 24th, President Yoon, speaking to reporters on his way to the Yongsan Presidential Office building, said regarding the request to the National Assembly for resubmission of the personnel hearing report by the 29th, "We gave ample time," adding, "Usually, resubmission is given a three-day deadline, but this time it seems to be five or seven days. I will decide on the appointment after returning from NATO."

According to the Personnel Hearing Act, the government must complete the review or hearing within 20 days after submitting the personnel hearing request to the National Assembly. If the National Assembly fails to send the personnel hearing report within the deadline, the president can request resubmission within 10 days, and if this period passes, the appointment can proceed.

The resubmission deadline is the 29th, during President Yoon’s NATO schedule. Considering the time until President Yoon’s return, the National Assembly effectively has an additional one to two days, allowing the president to push through the appointments immediately after the trip. However, President Yoon has previously stated regarding nominee Kim Seung-gyeom, "It is somewhat difficult to wait until the afternoon for the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff," indicating that Kim Seung-gyeom might be appointed first right after the trip.

The issue lies in the ethical controversies surrounding nominees Park Soon-ae and Kim Seung-hee. Park faces allegations of drunk driving while intoxicated, duplicate publication of papers, and conflicts of interest. Kim Seung-hee is embroiled in allegations of gap speculation, illegal apartment gift to her eldest daughter, and misuse of political funds during her time as a member of the National Assembly.

Some speculate that President Yoon might appoint all three nominees simultaneously after the trip. This is because President Yoon has emphasized his authority over personnel matters, stating "The appointing authority is the president," amid recent controversies in the prosecution and police personnel processes. Inside the presidential office, there is also an urgent stance on the need to appoint ministers for key departments responsible for President Yoon’s core directives, such as semiconductors.

Meanwhile, when asked whether President Yoon’s strong criticism of the police over the controversy surrounding the reversal of the police commissioner appointment, calling it a 'national disgrace,' was pressure for the resignation of Police Commissioner Kim Chang-ryong, the president responded, "What importance does that have?"

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