ID :
199688
Mon, 08/08/2011 - 06:40
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/199688
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Justice minister nominee faces questions over political neutrality
By Kim Eun-jung
SEOUL (Yonhap) - South Korea's justice minister nominee faced questions on Monday at his confirmation hearing over his ethical qualifications for the job, including whether he could maintain political neutrality ahead of next year's major elections.
President Lee Myung-bak picked Kwon Jae-jin, 58, a prosecutor-turned-presidential secretary in charge of civil affairs, last month as the next justice minister to replace incumbent minister Lee Kwi-nam.
During a confirmation hearing held at the National Assembly, opposition lawmakers raised questions on whether the former presidential aide could fulfill his obligation to maintain political neutrality ahead of next year's general and presidential elections, despite his close relations to Lee.
"If a presidential aide in charge of civil affairs is appointed justice minister, it could hamper the prosecution's neutrality," Rep. Kim Hak-jae of the main opposition Democratic Party (DP) said.
Yeo Sang-kyu of the ruling Grand National Party (GNP) countered by calling Kim's attack an "irresponsible political offensive," pointing out that the two preceding administrations had named key presidential aides or ruling party legislators as justice ministers.
Opposition lawmakers also delved into whether Kwon's two sons legitimately fulfilled their mandatory military service.
All able-bodied, young South Korean men must serve about two years in the military, a duty considered a key ethical requirement for high-level officeholders and politicians. Those deemed medically unfit for active service are allowed to serve in non-military posts in government organizations and state-designated companies during the period.
DP lawmakers asked Kwon whether his two sons were given any special favors in the course of serving in the alternative military service, though both of them were eligible for active service.
Kwon's first son worked for a state-designated company in Gyeonggi Province, and the second served in a town office near his home in southern Seoul.
The nominee denied accusations of any favors to his sons.
The National Assembly lacks the power to reject a nomination. Still, if the parliament finds serious ethical lapses during the confirmation hearing that spark public outrage, it could ultimately derail the nomination.
SEOUL (Yonhap) - South Korea's justice minister nominee faced questions on Monday at his confirmation hearing over his ethical qualifications for the job, including whether he could maintain political neutrality ahead of next year's major elections.
President Lee Myung-bak picked Kwon Jae-jin, 58, a prosecutor-turned-presidential secretary in charge of civil affairs, last month as the next justice minister to replace incumbent minister Lee Kwi-nam.
During a confirmation hearing held at the National Assembly, opposition lawmakers raised questions on whether the former presidential aide could fulfill his obligation to maintain political neutrality ahead of next year's general and presidential elections, despite his close relations to Lee.
"If a presidential aide in charge of civil affairs is appointed justice minister, it could hamper the prosecution's neutrality," Rep. Kim Hak-jae of the main opposition Democratic Party (DP) said.
Yeo Sang-kyu of the ruling Grand National Party (GNP) countered by calling Kim's attack an "irresponsible political offensive," pointing out that the two preceding administrations had named key presidential aides or ruling party legislators as justice ministers.
Opposition lawmakers also delved into whether Kwon's two sons legitimately fulfilled their mandatory military service.
All able-bodied, young South Korean men must serve about two years in the military, a duty considered a key ethical requirement for high-level officeholders and politicians. Those deemed medically unfit for active service are allowed to serve in non-military posts in government organizations and state-designated companies during the period.
DP lawmakers asked Kwon whether his two sons were given any special favors in the course of serving in the alternative military service, though both of them were eligible for active service.
Kwon's first son worked for a state-designated company in Gyeonggi Province, and the second served in a town office near his home in southern Seoul.
The nominee denied accusations of any favors to his sons.
The National Assembly lacks the power to reject a nomination. Still, if the parliament finds serious ethical lapses during the confirmation hearing that spark public outrage, it could ultimately derail the nomination.
