South Korean Politics and Elections

Government Information Agency Dismembered

Korea Times, February 29, 2008

By Yoon Won-sup
Staff Reporter

The Government Information Agency, which spearheaded the controversial media policies of closing government pressrooms last year, was abolished Friday in line with the government downsizing plan, in line with Lee Myung-bak's campaign pledges. The agency was launched in 1999 under the Kim Dae-jung administration.

The role and function of the agency will be transferred to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. The function of overseas information services will remain intact, however.

Under the Roh Moo-hyun administration, the agency was enlarged thanks to what Roh called ``advanced media policy.'' However, the agency's media policy, particularly closure of the government pressrooms, faced huge criticism from the public, the media and scholars.

Officials of the agency showed a disappointing attitude over the abolition and worry over their status. Some will have to leave the government according to reorganization law.

About 360 people worked for the agency, but the information department of the ministry has a capacity for only 100 officials, which makes officials compete vigorously to enter the ministry. In particular, 133 ``contract'' officials will have to retire unless they get assigned a duty within six months.

``As of today, the agency is abolished. About half of agency officials will be transferred to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism,'' an agency official said on condition of anonymity. ``However, we haven't received any notification about the movement. Those who fail to move will just stand by.''

Another senior official said ``I feel like my workplace has disintegrated into thin air. Everyone is concerned about their status in the ministry.''

Meanwhile, each ministry, which closed down its own pressroom at the order of the agency, is planning to open the pressrooms again with consultation with the culture ministry.

yoonwonsup@koreatimes.co.kr

Assembly Endorses Han as Prime Minister

Korea Times, February 29, 2008

By Kim Sue-young
Staff Reporter

The National Assembly confirmed the nomination of Prime Minister-designate Han Seung-soo during a plenary session Friday.

However, it is still unclear whether minister-designates will get Assembly approval of their nominations.
Of the 270 lawmakers attending the session, 174 voted in favor of the nomination while 94 opposed it ― one vote was undecided and one invalidated.

The confirmation vote had been delayed as the liberal United Democratic Party (UDP) claimed Han was unsuitable for the position.

Han, a U.N. special envoy on climate change, was accused of dubious wealth accumulation and criticized for his daughter's U.S. citizenship.

The Assembly was scheduled to vote on the nomination of the first prime minister under the Lee Myung-bak government on Monday but the UDP alliance with the minor opposition Democratic Labor Party (DLP) postponed the voting.

The liberal party had insisted on the cancellation of the appointment but reached a compromise after three other questionable minister nominees withdrew.

The party was also worrying that its hardline stance could backfire in the upcoming Assembly elections because it could be perceived as an attempt to hinder the new government.

Therefore, before the session began, party leaders decided to let lawmakers vote freely on the nomination, and did not set any party line.

``Despite the fact that Han has several flaws, we made the decision not to be an obstacle to the new government,'' UDP spokesman Choi Jae-sung told reporters.

Even after the withdrawal of the three the nominees, the UDP is insisting on the removal of the ``unqualified'' Health Minister-designate Kim Soung-yee. He has been a major target of criticism because of allegations he diverted public funds for his personal use while in charge of the Youth Protection Committee in 2001.

Furthermore, his daughter benefited from health insurance coverage here for several years in spite of her U.S. citizenship.

Justice Minister Nominee Kim Kyung-han was also accused of having amassed property worth $6.3 million, far beyond his means as a career civil servant.

UDP lawmakers raised suspicion over his accumulation of his fortune through real estate speculation and underpayment of inheritance taxes.

If parties fail to narrow differences over the nomination of ministers, President Lee will have to wait about 20 more days before formally completing his new Cabinet.

ksy@koreatimes.co.kr

Southeastern Figures Monopolize Key Posts

Korea Times, February 29, 2008

By Kim Sue-young
Staff Reporter

In Korean politics, deep regionalism has prevailed. President Lee tried to break the taboo, but Korea sees signs of rekindling the regionalism which has been latent recently, as President Lee's southeastern hometown boys monopolize key public posts, such as the National Intelligence Service (NIS), the Justice Ministry, the prosecution, the police and senior presidential secretary for civil affairs. The five posts are regarded as the nerve center for running the government.

Both former Justice Minister Kim Sung-ho, a nominee for the NIS head, and Prosecutor General Lim Chae-jin were born in Namhae, South Gyeongsang Province.

Justice Minister-designate Kim Kyung-han and Lee Jong-chan, the senior presidential secretary for civil affairs, are from Andong, North Gyeongsang Province and Goseong, South Gyeongsang Province, respectively.

Eo Cheong-soo, set to lead the National Police Agency, is also a Gyeongsang native.

Once the nominees from the Gyeongsang region successfully take the chief posts, people from their hometown or alma mater will likely fill up key positions.

To divert criticism, Cheong Wa Dae appointed figures from the comparatively neglected Jeolla region and other provinces as heads of the government agencies.

However, Lee Chun-ho and Nam Ju-hong, North Chungcheong and South Jeolla natives, respectively, withdrew their candidacy for the gender equality ministry and the unification ministry over property speculation.

Cheong Wa Dae officials explained the office tried to appoint figures who share the vision of the President instead of seeking to strike a regional balance.

Presidential Spokesman Lee Dong-kwan also downplayed the dominance of the southeastern natives saying ``The prosecutor general and the head of the National Police Agency were appointed by former President Roh Moo-hyun.''

Mounting voices from political parties are still against President Lee's picks.

``I doubt that those nominees can meet basic qualifications to fulfill the major duties,'' said Spokesman Yoo Jong-pil of the United Democratic Party (UDP), calling the government agencies a ``reunion of Gyeongsang natives.''

The governing GNP also slammed the selection, questioning whether the presidential office could find better figures who do not invite criticism or stir up controversy.

Lee Myung-bak won the presidential election in December largely on the back of strong support from the southeastern provinces and Seoul in a competition with liberal Chung Dong-young from the southwestern provinces.

Regional conflict between eastern and western regions have been deeply rooted in South Korea since government-led construction projects in the 1970s enriched the southeastern Gyeongsang provinces.

As President Lee Myung-bak appointed a person from a more-developed region as justice minister Thursday, disputes over regionalism have been rekindled.

The governing Grand National Party (GNP) expressed worry that the President's disregard of regional balance in key posts may lead to low support in the upcoming Assembly elections.

ksy@koreatimes.co.kr

Jeolla Areas Crowded with Liberal Party Ticket Seekers

Korea Times, February 25, 2008

By Kim Sue-young
Staff Reporter

A total of 486 people applied to run in the upcoming National Assembly elections on the ticket of the United Democratic Party (UDP) but only the Jeolla region, its stronghold, was crowded with hopefuls, the party announced Monday.

The application rate stood at 2 to 1, lower than the 4.82 to 1 rate that the main opposition Grand National Party (GNP) saw earlier this month.

The conservative GNP, which is expected to sweep most of the 243 districts nationwide based on its large popularity, has 1,173 people registered.

Of 486 people registered with the liberal UDP, 212 applied to run in 31 districts in the Jeolla provinces.

Gwangju saw the highest application rate of 8.29 to 1 as 58 people applied to run in seven districts.

In particular, Gwangju's Buk-gu was recorded as the most crowded district because 12 including UDP lawmaker Kang Gi-jung and former Defense Minister Kim Dong-shin applied.

North Jeolla and South Jeolla provinces came next with 6.82 to 1 and 5.31 to 1, respectively.

On the other hand, the Gyeongsang areas and several provinces, where most political experts forecast GNP's sweep of the vote saw little crowding.

No one applied to compete in 72 districts in the Gyeongang region and only one person each registered for 65 constituencies in the Gyeonggi and Chungcheong provinces.

Also, UDP hopefuls tended to avoid competition in some districts where confidants of President Lee Myung-bak are expected to run.

Former and incumbent party leaders will likely join the Assembly elections slated for April 9 in a more strategic way, party sources said.

UDP Co-Chairman Sohn Hak-kyu as well as former party head Chung Dong-young are considering aiming for proportional representation seats or running in districts in Seoul.

UDP Co-Chairman Park Sang-cheon applied to run in Goheung-Boseong, South Jeolla Province, where he has won an Assembly seat four times.

However, it remains uncertain whether candidates from the party, which is suffering from rock-bottom popularity, can win as many Assembly seats as it holds now. The UDP has 141 seats in the 299-member legislature, while the GNP has 130.

ksy@koreatimes.co.kr

Lee Prioritizes US Relations

Korea Times, February 25, 2008

By Yoon Won-sup
Staff Reporter

President Lee Myung-bak said his foreign policy would be based on a strengthened relationship with the United States and energy diplomacy for finding resources.

``We will work to develop and further strengthen traditional friendly relations with the United States into a future-oriented partnership,'' Lee said in an inaugural address Monday. ``Based on the deep mutual trust that exists between the two peoples, we will also strengthen our strategic alliance with the United States.''

Lee made it clear that he will recover what he calls Seoul-Washington relations, damaged under the Roh Moo-hyun administration. Thus, Lee's first overseas trip will probably be to Washington in April.

Following the United States, he placed importance on Asia, saying he will seek peace and mutual prosperity with close neighbors including Japan, China and Russia and further exchange and cooperate with them.

He revived the suspended shuttle diplomacy with Japan by having a summit with Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda right after the inauguration ceremony.

Given that his No. 1 priority is revitalization of the nation's economy, he also pledged to find resources through diplomacy, which would help the economic engine run smoothly.

``We will work to acquire a safe and stable supply of resources and energy,'' he continued. ``Moreover, we shall take the lead in environmentally-friendly international cooperation.''

Lee said Korea will contribute more to the international community with the United Nations' Peace-Keeping Operation (PKO) and Official Development Assistance (ODA), in line with global standards. Accordingly, the government plans to double ODA from the current 0.1 percent of the gross national income to 0.2 percent in 2012.

``Korea will take a more positive stance with a greater vision and carry out global diplomacy, by actively cooperating with the international community as befitting our economic size and diplomatic capacity. Our diplomacy will contribute to promoting and protecting universal values,'' he said

During his five-year term, Lee will also try to promote the image of Korea, particularly its culture, which is not well-known relative to its economic development.

``By emphasizing the importance of cultural diplomacy, we will work to allow Korea to communicate more openly and easily with the international community,'' he said. ``Our traditional culture, when coupled together with our technological prowess, will no doubt transmit to the world an image of a more attractive Korea.''

Lee spent about two minutes on foreign policy in his 30-minute inaugural speech to the nation.

yoonwonsup@koreatimes.co.kr

Parties Clash Over Prosecutor's Clearance of Lee Myung-bak

Korea Times, February 21, 2008

By Yoon Won-sup
Staff Reporter

President-elect Lee Myung-bak's Grand National Party (GNP) hailed a special prosecutor's clearance of his corruption allegations while all the other parties strongly criticized the decision, Thursday.

Rep. Woo Sang-ho, spokesman of the United Democratic Party, said, ``The special prosecutor failed to uncover the truth, giving just an excuse for President-elect Lee. We can't accept the result of the probe.''

Kang Hyung-gu, vice spokesperson of the progressive Democratic Labor Party also said, ``As usual, the prosecutor didn't investigate thoroughly enough because the man under examination is the President-elect.''

Lee Hae-yon, spokeswoman of the Liberty Forward Party said, ``A man of power incapacitated even the special probe. Justice and rule of law has be lost.''

Meanwhile, Kang Jae-sup, chairman of the GNP, said the result indicates the victory of the truth and urged those who sought the investigation to apologize to the nation. Kang said voters will keep this in mind in the upcoming general elections slated for April 9.

Rep. Na Kyung-won, spokeswoman of the GNP, said that her party will seek to introduce laws and regulations so that investigations based on political motivation won't happen again.

However, most civic groups strongly criticized the conclusion of the probe.

Members of the Solidarity for Peace and Reunification of Korea staged a protest in front of the prosecutor's office in Yeosam-dong, Seoul, saying that the prosecutor betrayed the nation with the dereliction of his duty.

``People will not stop being suspicious of Lee and the prosecutors as a whole,'' they said in a statement.

The independent probe, legislated by liberals affiliated with outgoing President Roh Moo-hyun, kicked off after Lee's landslide election victory in December.

Lee had been cleared of the charges in a preliminary probe, but the opponents said the investigation was biased.

But few expected the special prosecutor to override the previous findings to declare Lee guilty. A few days before the prosecutor announced the results, reports had already came out that Lee would be cleared of his allegations.

The special prosecutor came to the same conclusions as the earlier investigators, which indicted Lee's former business partner, Kim Kyung-joon, for stock price manipulation, embezzlement of 38 billion won and forgery.

yoonwonsup@koreatimes.co.kr

Assembly to Pass Bill for Government Downsizing Today

New Cabinet to Be Launched Early March

Korea Times, February 20, 2008

By Kim Yon-se
Staff Reporter

President-elect Lee Myung-bak's first Cabinet is expected to be launched early next month as the two largest parties reached a compromise Wednesday on Lee's proposed government downsizing plan.

The National Assembly is to pass the bill today through consensus and President Roh Moo-hyun will Friday convene a Cabinet meeting to put the bill into law.

Lawmakers will soon hold confirmation hearings soon for the Cabinet nominees.

The compromise will preclude a possible power vacuum for the next administration but Lee's small government plan was greatly compromised.

After a month-long tug of war, the Lee's Grand National Party (GNP) accepted the liberal United Democratic Party's (UDP) proposal that the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family be retained.

In return, the UDP agreed to abolish the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries. Earlier, the two parties agreed to retain the Ministry of Unification.

Under the agreement, three of the current 18 ministries will be shut down. Two of four ministry-level agencies will be also scrapped. Lee had originally planned to shut down five ministries.

As a result, the incoming President was able to avert a worse situation in which he would have had to govern without officially-designated Cabinet ministers.

Roh's spokesman Cheon Ho-seon hinted at the bill's passage in Roh's final Cabinet meeting before his tenure ends on Feb. 25, saying, ``We believe the agreement somewhat reflected our demand (to retain the gender equality ministry and the unification ministry)."

The dramatic agreement came after UDP co-leader Sohn Hak-kyu conceded to the GNP's request to shut down the maritime affairs ministry. ``There are few changes in my position that the maritime affairs ministry should remain intact, but I have made up my mind to make a concession to help the incoming administration to make a fresh start," Sohn told a press conference earlier in the day.

After undergoing a parliamentary hearing probably from the middle of next week, the new Cabinet composed of ``15 plus one'' ministers will likely be launched early next month. After the April 9 general elections, Lee plans to appoint one more minister who will take on political affairs.

The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family will be renamed the Ministry of Gender Equality and the functions of the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries will be transferred to other ministries such as the Ministry of Homeland and Maritime Affairs.

A Gender Equality Ministry official said there were days of twists and turns. ``Anyway, it is delightful that we survived.''

But he said ministry workers are still alert over the possibility of having its functions curtailed, possibly to the level of a committee.

The gender equality ministry achieved a few landmark changes. Korea's male-oriented family registry system was abolished and an individual registry set up, shifting the registry basis from the patriarchal bloodline to each member of a family. Also, a sex trafficking ban was legislated.

The Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development will be renamed the Ministry of Education and Science, Technology. The Ministry of Culture and Tourism will be reborn as the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

Parties also agreed to rename the Ministry of Health and Welfare as the Ministry of Health and Family.

The Government Information Agency ― which conducted a controversial media policy of closing government pressrooms last year ― will be absorbed into the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

The Ministry of Planning and Budget will also be merged into others including the Ministry of Planning and Finance.

kys@koreatimes.co.kr

Cabinet Nominees Warned Against Turf War

Korea Times, February 19, 2008

By Kim Yon-se
Staff Reporter

President-elect Lee Myung-bak Tuesday instructed incoming Cabinet ministers and the presidential secretaries to remove firewalls to maximize efficiency in running the government.

At a workshop with the Cabinet nominees and his aides in Seoul, Lee said, ``Cabinet members and presidential secretaries should cooperate with colleagues at other departments.'' The two-day workshop ended later in the day.

Citing his experience as a Cabinet member for eight months, the former Seoul mayor said the problem lies in the culture in which there is little policy coordination among ministries and departments of Cheong Wa Dae.

``Each ministry did not want to intervene in matters of the others and each ministry did not want to be meddled in,'' he said. ``But these days all ministries and departments need to seriously discuss all national agenda such as global economic turmoil by eliminating the China wall.''

Should a ministry show indifference to others' pending issues, it is difficult for the Cabinet to make effective policymaking, and this will be a big loss for the country, he stressed.

Lee announced the lineup of seven senior presidential secretaries and 15 ministers Monday.

Except for the senior secretary for civil affairs, Lee excluded bureaucrats from the list. He favored graduates of his alama mater as two of the seven are graduates of Korea University and one is a professor there.

By age, two are in their 60s, two in the early 50s and four in their 40s. The majority have teaching positions at universities.

The President-elect announced the breakdown of weeks of inter-party talks on downsizing the government Monday and made public 15 nominees for his first Cabinet. Earlier, he nominated former Minister of Foreign Affairs Han Seung-soo as prime minister.

The liberal United Democratic Party criticized the nominations as ``illegal'' and threatened to boycott nomination hearings before he takes the oath of office on Feb. 25.

The nomination came after the UDP and the Grand National Party (GNP) were unable to compromise on the proposed government reorganization bill.

Lee emphasized that there was no more time to lose, as ``great confusion'' would take place in national affairs if the announcement of Cabinet members were to be further delayed.

Lee's transition committee strove Tuesday to contain the escalating tension, stressing for more room for negotiations with the UDP.

``If the negotiations reach a compromise, we could change the titles of the new ministers,'' said committee spokesman Lee Dong-kwan.

``Although the negotiations should continue, we can wait no longer as the President cannot conduct any legal activity without the Cabinet,'' he said.

kys@koreatimes.co.kr

FTA approval could be held up by unconstitutional clauses

National Assembly’s right to dictate taxable items and tax rates would be altered by trade pact

The Hankyoreh, February 19, 2008

A South Korean parliamentary report says that some of the clauses of a free trade agreement with the United States may be unconstitutional. The National Assembly is currently reviewing the deal in this month’s extraordinary session.

The report, released by the National Assembly’s committee for unification, foreign affairs and trade on February 18, found that, under the proposed free trade agreement between the two nations, the number of requirements listed as being applicable only to South Korea is eight times higher than that of the number solely applicable to the United States. The pact is the most unbalanced agreement signed by the United States thus far, the report pointed out.

In the report, titled “Review for Bill on Ratification of Free Trade Agreement between the Republic of Korea and the United States of America,” the committee said the agreement’s automobile-related taxation clauses are not in line with the nation’s constitution, which requires that laws be enacted to set tax rates or determine which items are to be taxed.

Under the trade deal, South Korea would be required to scrap its cumulative taxation system in favor of a special excise tax on new cars. South Korea would also have to simplify its automobile emissions-based tax rates to three levels, from five, and would be banned from re-configuring the emissions-based tax system if the deal were to go into effect. “Under the constitution, both taxable items and tax rates are set by laws enacted by the National Assembly. As the free trade agreement signed by the two governments sets a cap for tax rates and bans taxes on certain new goods, the agreement has the potential of being unconstitutional,” the report said.

“Also, the possibility of bigger damage can’t be ruled out because the possible revision of the auto tax would be applied to Japanese and German cars, as well as to U.S. cars,” the report said. “In terms of legal or economic aspects, there are concerns about potential side effects.”

The inclusion in the trade pact of what has been called a “liberalization reversal prevention mechanism,” could also introduce another unconstitutional element, according to the report. Under the mechanism, South Korea would not be allowed to tighten regulations if they were eased when the pact went into effect. Therefore, the mechanism limits the National Assembly’s right to make laws and restricts the liberty of national policies, the report said.

The report also found that the number of requirements applied only to South Korea was 55, compared with seven of those requirements for the United States. Out of the 14 free trade deals signed by the United States so far, South Korea topped the list in terms of the number of such one-sided requirements. What’s more, the number of South Korean laws subject to revision because of the free trade deal was 24, while the number of U.S. laws stood at four, the report said.

The report also criticized the South Korean government for “not trying to reach a social consensus before starting free trade talks, or during the negotiations.”

Please direct questions or comments to [englishhani@hani.co.kr]

President-elect Lee Appoints 15 Ministers

Korea Times, February 18, 2008

By Kim Yon-se
Staff Reporter

President-elect Lee Myung-bak announced the breakdown of weeks of inter-party talks on downsizing the government Monday and made public 15 nominees for his first Cabinet.

The pro-government United Democratic Party criticized the nominations as ``illegal'' and threatened to boycott nomination hearings before he takes the oath of office on Feb. 25.

The nomination came after the UDP and the Grand National Party (GNP) showed little sign of backing off from their opposing stances on the proposed government reorganization bill.

Unless any dramatic compromise is reached, the incoming Lee administration might have no choice but to wait until the next National Assembly is convened around June to put into action his government reform plan. The general elections are to be held on April 9.

Lee named Kim Doh-yeon, 56, a materials science professor of Seoul National University, as minister of education and human resources development.

Lee had originally planned to designate Euh Yoon-dae, a former president of Korea University, to head the education ministry. According to the reform bill, it is supposed to become the Ministry of Education and Science. Euh was dropped from the list after his wife's alleged excessive real estate speculation was made public.

Kang Man-soo, 63, a former vice finance minister, was appointed as minister of finance and economy. Born in Hapcheon, South Gyeongsang Province, Kang worked as vice finance minister after he began his bureaucratic career in 1970.

Kang was also a close confidant of Lee in 2005 when the President-elect was the mayor of Seoul.

Yu Myung-hwan, ambassador to Japan, was named to head the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Unification under the proposed plan).

With 35 years of experience, Yu, 61, served as vice foreign minister between 2005 and 2006.

Lee Sang-hee, 63, a former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, was nominated as defense minister.

Lawyer Kim Kyung-han, 64, was designated as justice minister. He served as chief of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office.

Lee Youn-ho, 61, vice chairman of the Federation of Korean Industries, was appointed to lead the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Energy (the Knowledge-based Ministry under the plan).

Actor Yu In-chon was appointed as minister of culture and tourism. He was a member of the Lee Myung-bak camp during the presidential campaign last December. The 56-year-old is now a professor at ChungAng University.

The next President selected Chung Woon-chun, 54, chairman of the Korea Agriculture CEO Association, as minister of agriculture and forestry.

Park Eun-kyung, 62, a woman activist for the environment, was named as minister of the environment; professor Kim Soung-yee, 62, of Ewha Womans University, was tapped as minister of health and welfare; and professor Lee Young-hui, 65, of Inha University, will head up the Ministry of Labor.

Won Se-hoon, who served as vice Seoul mayor for two-and-a-half years when Lee was mayor, was named minister of government administration and home affairs (minister of administration and security under the plan).

Chung Jong-hwan, 60, who was appointed construction and transportation minister is a career administrator who accumulated his expertise developing the nation's transportation-related policies.

Lee also named two more Cabinet ministers. They are Korea Freedom League Vice Chairwoman Lee Choon-ho, 63, and Kyonggi University Professor Nam Joo-hong, 56.

The appointment of the two ministers to be in charge of women's and North Korean affairs, respectively, indicates that the next government might retain the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, and the Ministry of Unification depending on inter-party negotiations on the government downsizing plan, Lee's aides said.

kys@koreatimes.co.kr