Momentum for "Forceful Appointment" Reverses... When Will Follow-up Personnel Picks Come?

[Anchor]

Let's dive deeper into this with reporter Park Yerim, who covers the presidential office.

Q. There was a mood of a "forceful appointment," but why the change?

[Reporter Park Yerim : Well, two days ago when the Democratic Party unilaterally adopted the confirmation hearing report, the presidential office maintained that there was no change in its stance and that it was poised to push ahead with the appointment. However, it seems President Lee Jae-myung's press conference yesterday (September 18) was ultimately decisive.]

[Yesterday, Press Conference : We are witnessing various controversies arising during the public verification process. We will make a careful decision taking into consideration the public's expectations.]

[Reporter Park Yerim : A presidential official conveyed that lawmaker Kim felt a heavy burden after watching the press conference, and decided to step down after deliberation and consultation with the party leadership. Although it took the form of a voluntary resignation like the previous case of lawmaker Yong Hye-in, it is interpreted that there was a judgment within the ruling bloc that an inevitable drop in approval ratings would follow if the appointment were pushed through.]

Q. Presidential Office Personnel System Under Fire

[Reporter Park Yerim : Yes, President Lee also said yesterday that he intends to re-examine the personnel system. First, regarding lawmaker Yong, criticisms have been raised within the ruling party that failing to clearly check the issue of concurrent holding of a proportional representation lawmaker position and a cabinet post in advance was a tactical failure. As for the allegations involving lawmaker Kim regarding the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, prosecutors' suspension of indictment and the first-instance ruling on related cases had already been issued. Criticisms are coming from both the ruling and opposition parties asking whether the personnel verification system operated properly.]

Q. Prolonged Vacancy for Minister of Justice?

[Reporter Park Yerim : Yes, while a new nominee for the Minister of Gender Equality and Family has yet to be named, it seems the nominee for the Minister of Justice will also take quite a bit of time. The Prosecution Service, scheduled to launch next month, is highly likely to open with both the Prosecutor General and the Minister of Justice posts vacant. In addition, Kim Ji-yong, nominee for the Commissioner of the Serious Crime Investigation Agency, is still undergoing additional verification, and the strong backlash from the hardline pro-ruling camp is likely a dilemma for President Lee. Meanwhile, appointment procedures are expected to proceed for nominees such as Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs Lee Hyung-il, Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Hong Ji-sun, and Minister of SMEs and Startups Lee So-young.]

(Photo: Shin Dong-hwan | Video Editing: Kim Jin-won)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.