Han Myung Sook has been nominated to be the next prime minister, but already there are problems getting her confirmed, namely the fact that the National Assembly has not even agreed on a timetable for her hearing. That is because the main opposition Grand National Party (GNP) is demanding that she renounce her membership in the ruling Uri Party and refusing to even discuss forming the necessary special committee.
There is no justification for refusing to participate in Han's confirmation hearing over the issue of her party affiliation. Under our constitution, which calls for a mixture of the presidential and cabinet systems, allowing the prime minister or members of cabinet to belong to political parties is not a serious problem. Many scholars take the view that since elections occasions when the people issue judgment on the government and ruling party, having cabinet members maintain party affiliations is consistent with the spirit of holding politicians responsible for their actions.
We think the days when a prime minister's party affiliation hurt the fair management of elections have passed. There have been many elections carried out under prime ministers with party memberships since democratization, but never once has that led to accusations that parts of the state apparatus have been used to promote a specific party. If the argument that fair elections require the prime minister not be the member of any party makes any sense then all cabinet ministers and heads of local governments must also disassociate themselves with their parties. If the new prime minister violates her obligation to maintain election neutrality, the National Assembly can always respond with a "recommendation to dismiss" her. We hope to see the GNP stop with the worthless pigheadedness.
There isn't much time. The process has to be completed by the 14th, since the bill to approve her is supposed to be voted on 15 days after being submitted. It is too late to form a special committee, if you remember things like the submission of documentation and the time needed for calling in people to testify. Instead of fighting, it is much more important that the politicians be looking at the details of Han's personal qualities, ability, and ethics. If they are not thinking that it is okay to have a long-term vacancy when the prime minister is supposed to assist the president in affairs of state, and if they are not thinking that it is okay for the National Assembly to break laws it enacted, then we hope to see them immediately form a special committee and prevent further snags along the way.
The Hankyoreh, 5 April 2006.
[Translations by Seoul Selection]
[Editorial] Petty Fighting Leaves PM Unconfirmed |
