Envoy should return home

Yoon needs to gauge public sentiment

During a major election year, it’s common to witness unbecoming words and actions. Each political party must assess the risks involved and respond accordingly. With just 21 days until the April 10 general elections, both the ruling People Power Party (PPP) and the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) have swiftly distanced themselves from controversial candidates who have drawn criticism from their constituencies.

However, it seems that the presidential office has struggled to keep pace with the actions of the political parties. The controversy surrounding the new Korean ambassador to Australia, Lee Jongsup, is anticipated to cast a shadow over the campaign prospects for the PPP. This is compounded by seemingly inappropriate remarks made by Hwang Sang-moo, the senior presidential secretary for civil and social affairs.

Amid growing discontent surrounding the envoy, the PPP interim leader, Han Dong-hoon, has called for the newly appointed ambassador to return immediately to Korea. Han’s request aims to facilitate an investigation by the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO). This stance is supported by influential members of the party’s campaign committee including Rep. Ahn Cheol-soo and former party floor leader Na Kyung-won, and candidate and former senior secretary for public affairs, Kim Eun-hye.

While campaigning to woo voters, these PPP campaign leaders and candidates are hearing public resentment against the ambassador still under investigation for meddling in a probe over the death of a young Marine last year during a search-and-rescue operation. Lee was defense minister at that time.

The crux of the issue revolves around how the ambassador still under CIO probe managed to secure a diplomatic appointment and had his travel ban lifted by the justice ministry just days before departing for Australia. This sequence of events, as perceived by the public, raises concerns of favoritism and undermines President Yoon’s principles of fairness and rule of law.

Rebutting the party’s requests and public sentiment, the presidential office has said that the ambassador will respond immediately to subpoena requests from the CIO. The CIO should take immediate action to ensure the ambassador’s return to Korea and provide answers. The fate of his diplomatic assignment can be deliberated upon subsequently. The presidential office should remain receptive to public sentiment regarding Lee’s controversial appointment.

In light of recent comments made by senior presidential secretary for civil and social affairs Hwang Sang-moo, Han has urged him to voluntarily step down. Hwang’s remarks, recalling the 1988 stabbing of a reporter critical of the military, were made during a luncheon where he recounted his past service in the Korea Defense Intelligence Command, the agency implicated in the assault. His comment, “MBC should pay attention,” was perceived as a direct threat toward a reporter with the broadcaster.

Although Hwang later attempted to dismiss his remark as a joke and issued an apology, his intimidating words caught many off guard, particularly given the ongoing legal dispute between the administration and MBC regarding the network’s coverage of a previous incident involving the president. Hwang’s conduct not only contradicts the responsibilities of his current role in fostering social cohesion but also undermines the principles he once upheld in his former position.

Regarding Hwang’s remarks, the presidential office said, “It is our government’s administrative philosophy to strictly respect the freedom of the press and the responsibility of media organizations.”

The presidential office’s firm and principled stance reflects its resistance to succumbing to political pressure during an election season, as well as its internal dilemma regarding whether it should hold its staff accountable on a “one-strike” basis. However, the president should carefully consider these requests. There may be broader factors at play beyond governmental and party power dynamics. The party leadership’s actions may be indicative of public sentiment.

The presidential office faces tough decisions ahead, particularly as the ruling camp seeks to implement and advance its brand of conservative politics.