President Roh Moo-hyun named a top anti-corruption official as his new justice minister Tuesday, backing down from his earlier plan to appoint a close associate due to mounting criticism.
Roh named Kim Sung-ho, deputy head of the presidential Korea Independent Commission Against Corruption, to replace Chun Jung-bae, who returned to the ruling Uri Party late last month, said Park Nam-chun, a presidential secretary. President Roh initially planned to nominate a former senior presidential secretary for civil affairs, Moon Jae-in, who is regarded as one of the president's closest associates.
The reported plan triggered strong criticism not only from opposition parties but also from the ruling Uri Party, as it came on the heels of the resignation of another one of Roh's confidants, Education Minister Kim Byong-joon.
Kim, who served as Roh's top policy planner, stepped down amid growing disputes over his alleged unethical academic practices, only 13 days after he took up the Cabinet post.
Critics say Roh has a tendency to fill top presidential office and Cabinet posts with close associates, while aides to the president argue he only appoints those who share the same policy lines.
"I think I am assuming an important job at a very difficult time. I want to contribute to building a country that complies with principles," Kim, the justice minister designate, said after hearing the news of his appointment.
The National Assembly is to hold a confirmation hearing to examine Kim's qualification later this month, but is not entitled to vote on the appointment of a Cabinet minister. Also on Tuesday, Roh named Kwon O-ryong, a vice home affairs minister, as head of the Civil Service Commission, a presidential body supervising the appointment of civilian servants, and replaced 18 vice Cabinet members. Lee Seon-hui became the new chief of the Defense Acquisition Program Administration, replacing Kim Jeong-il, who resigned last month over a bribery scandal.
Nearly three-and-a-half years into office, Roh and the Uri Party are battling low popularity amid the slowing economy, unsatisfactory reform measures and heightening tension over North Korea.
The Uri Party suffered crushing defeats in May's mayoral and gubernatorial elections and July's parliamentary by-elections at the hands of the main opposition Grand National Party.
As part of efforts to win back public confidence, some Uri Party members called on President Roh to quit the party and focus on state affairs. Aides said Roh has no immediate plan to leave the party.
Roh's single five-year term ends in early 2008, and he is barred by law from seeking reelection.
Seoul, Aug. 8 (Yonhap News)
President Roh names top anti-corruption official as new justice minister |
