Park Jin's 'Tough Remarks on China', Lee Jong-seop's 'Official Residence Tech' Hearing Controversy

by Yang Nakgyu

Published 15 Apr.2022 11:41(KST)

Updated 15 Apr.2022 15:09(KST)

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo In-ho, Military Specialist Reporter Yang Nak-gyu] Park Jin, the nominee for Minister of Foreign Affairs, is reported to have made strong remarks against the Chinese government during last year's People Power Party presidential primary, raising concerns that this could negatively impact the new administration's relationship with China.

The Democratic Party of Korea is expected to focus on questioning Park's suitability during the confirmation hearing, judging such remarks inappropriate for a foreign affairs chief. Meanwhile, Lee Jong-seop, the nominee for Minister of National Defense, another key foreign and security official, is anticipated to face controversy over 'gwan-sa tech' (official residence real estate speculation).

[Image source=Yonhap News]

According to diplomatic sources on the 15th, Park, during his time as a preliminary candidate in the People Power Party presidential primary last July, responded strongly when Xing Haiming, the Chinese Ambassador to Korea, criticized then-candidate Yoon Seok-youl's comments on the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system. Park said, "Ambassador Xing's response is a breach of diplomatic protocol and highly regrettable, regardless of the content," and urged, "Do not interfere in the South Korean presidential election."

Previously, President-elect Yoon stated in a media interview, "If China wants the THAAD deployment to be withdrawn, it should first remove the long-range radar deployed near its own borders." Ambassador Xing criticized this, saying, "It seriously damages China's security interests. I cannot understand (Yoon's) remarks."

Park argued, "It is a clear violation of sovereignty for a host country’s ambassador to refute a leading presidential candidate's foreign and security policies and assert their own country's position," adding, "Criticism that China intends to interfere in the South Korean presidential election is inevitable."

Evaluations of Park's remarks differ between ruling and opposition parties. The opposition, including the People Power Party, views the comments as justified from a national interest perspective, while the ruling Democratic Party criticizes them, arguing that provocative remarks should have been restrained to promote better Korea-China relations and national interests.

Park's status as a two-home owner is also expected to be highlighted during the confirmation hearing. In this year's asset disclosure, Park was shown to jointly own an apartment in Ichon-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, and a residence building in Dongsung-dong, Jongno-gu, with his spouse.

Park has leased the Ichon-dong apartment for a deposit of 250 million KRW, and his spouse declared ownership of 187 grams of pure gold (15 million KRW) and a violin valued at approximately 70 million KRW. The total asset value is about 2.6 billion KRW.

Defense Minister nominee Lee Jong-seop is attending the press conference announcing the appointment of ministerial candidates for eight ministries of the Yoon Suk-yeol administration at the Presidential Transition Committee in Tongui-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 10th, responding to reporters' questions. Photo by Transition Committee Press Photographers Group

Lee Jong-seop, the nominee for Minister of National Defense, is expected to face controversy over 'gwan-sa tech' during his confirmation hearing.

According to the confirmation request, Lee is a two-home owner, jointly owning an apartment in Jamsil, Songpa-gu, Seoul (1.54 billion KRW), and another in Yeongtong-gu, Suwon, Gyeonggi Province (799 million KRW) with his spouse. While serving as Deputy Chief of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Lee lived in the official residence in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, and rented out both apartments, drawing criticism for benefiting from 'gwan-sa tech' privileges. He currently leases the Jamsil apartment for a deposit of 588 million KRW.