4 lawmakers tapped as ministers
President Moon Jae-in nominated four lawmakers from the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) as ministers Tuesday, according to Cheong Wa Dae.
The latest nominations come amid controversy over alleged irregularities in Moon’s earlier nominations, including Prime Minister nominee Lee Nak-yon.
Rep. Kim Boo-kyum was tapped for minister of the interior. Presidential spokesman Park Soo-hyun said he will help achieve the new government’s goal of balanced national development and unity.
“The four-term lawmaker has contributed to reforming society and overcoming regionalism, by often giving up his vested rights,” Park said.
“We believe his expertise in decentralization will help set up a new relationship between the central and regional governments and build a national administrative system for balanced development.”
Born in Sangju, North Gyeongsang Province, the 59-year-old majored in political science at Seoul National University and obtained a master’s degree in public administration at Yonsei University. He served three terms as a lawmaker for Gunpo, Gyeonggi Province, and one for Daegu.
Kim attempted to run for the presidency earlier this year but dropped out of the party’s primary due to a low support rate. He then worked for Moon’s election camp.
Do as culture minister
For culture, sports and tourism minister, Moon named Rep. Do Jong-hwan, who made a name for himself as a poet before entering politics.
“Do, who was a nationally recognized poet, has worked for ordinary citizens as a lawmaker. He has protested against powers that attempted to dominate the people, and has never hesitated to support the people,” Park said.
“He is suitable to lead the culture ministry, which has many urgent reform issues, based on his insights into culture and his experience on the National Assembly Culture Committee.”
The culture ministry has been at the center of the corruption scandal involving former President Park Geun-hye, who allegedly ordered it to create a blacklist of artists critical of the government to exclude them from state subsidies. Former Minister Cho Yoon-sun was arrested over the allegation.
“The new government’s basic policy for culture is support without intervention. We hope Do will produce a dynamic cultural communi- ty,” Park said.
Do, 63, from Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province, obtained his doctorate in Korean language education at Chungnam National University. He entered politics as a lawmaker in 2012. Do attempted to prevent the Park government’s state-authored history textbook, and during the presidential scandal, he offered evidence for the blacklist allegation.
The former poet wrote a poem dedicated to the late President Roh Moo-hyun and read it during a May 23 memorial service.
Female land minister
Rep. Kim Hyun-mee was named as land, infrastructure and transport minister, the first female to lead the ministry if the nomination is confirmed.
Majoring in political diplomacy at Yonsei University, the 55-year-old worked for the Roh administration in 2003 and afterward was elected as a lawmaker three times.
“Kim has experience in both the Assembly and government. She was also the first female head of the National Assembly Special Committee on Budget and Accounts last year, helping the smooth passage of the budget bill,” Park said.
Fisheries minister
For oceans and fisheries minister, Moon named Rep. Kim Young-choon, 55, who is head of the National Assembly Agriculture, Food, Rural Affairs, Oceans and Fisheries Committee.
“We believe the three-term lawmaker can help revive the shipping industry, protect the fisheries industry and re-examine the truth of the ferry Sewol sinking,” Park said.
Kim Young-choon majored in English literature at Korea University and obtained a master’s degree in political diplomacy.
The four nominees must undergo Assembly confirmation hearings, although their appointments do not require parliamentary approval.
The nominations come a day after Moon sought public understanding over irregularities regarding other nominees, including Prime Minister-designate Lee, whose position requires the Assembly’s approval. Moon said his government would soon come up with new criteria in selecting ranking officials.
The DPK welcomed Tuesday’s nominations, saying the party will actively cooperate with the government in resolving pending issues.
But the main opposition Liberty Korea Party disapproved. “It is a dogmatic attitude of the Moon government to ignore the opposition parties while announcing nominees without presenting new criteria,” it said in a statement. “It is also a reward to DPK members who helped Moon’s campaign.”