Controversy Over Appointment of 'Prosecutor-Turned' National Pension Committee Member, Ministry of Health and Welfare Says "Qualifications Met"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Amid the unusual appointment of a former prosecutor as a full-time expert member of the National Pension Fund Management Committee, the Ministry of Health and Welfare stated, "We appointed a person who meets the legal qualification requirements."

On the 5th, the Ministry of Health and Welfare released a press statement saying, "According to the Enforcement Decree of the National Pension Act, the three full-time members of the National Pension Fund Management Expert Committee are appointed by the chairman (Minister of Health and Welfare) from among those recommended by subscriber organizations (employers, workers, regional subscribers), respectively."

They added, "The mentioned member is an expert recommended by the employer organization and was appointed after meeting the legal qualification requirements." According to the Ministry, the Enforcement Decree allows the appointment of full-time expert members who have at least five years of experience in finance, economics, asset management, law, or pension system fields.

On the 27th of last month, the Ministry appointed lawyer Han Seok-hoon, who previously served as the chief prosecutor at the Gunsan branch of the Jeonju District Prosecutors' Office, as a full-time expert member of the National Pension Fund Management Committee. The National Pension Fund Management Committee is the highest decision-making body regarding the operation and management of the National Pension, and its members play a crucial role in the decision-making process. Lawyer Han was appointed as the nominee from the employer organizations (Korea Employers Federation, Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Korea Federation of SMEs).

The Democratic Party criticized Han's appointment, saying, "Are you trying to turn the Republic of Korea into a prosecutor republic?" and added, "This position was previously held only by pension fund and financial accounting experts, but under the Yoon Seok-yeol administration, a former prosecutor without expertise has taken the seat."

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