Kang Kyung-wha, the foreign minister nominee, answers a question during a confirmation hearing at the National Assembly, Wednesday. / Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul



Kang's fate will be in Moon's hands

By Choi Ha-young

The liberal opposition People's Party decided Thursday to reject Kang Kyung-wha, President Moon Jae-in's pick for foreign minister, following a tough confirmation hearing the previous day that focused on her alleged ethical lapses.

This dims the prospect of her winning National Assembly confirmation because conservative parties vowed to oppose Kang even before the hearing. The ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) requires the cooperation of the People's Party which holds the deciding vote.

A parliamentary confirmation is not legally binding for Moon to give the job to Kang, but if he appoints her it may diminish his political capital. Moon needs cooperation from the minor liberal party to secure a parliamentary majority in pushing through his reform agenda. It remains to be seen whether the President will go ahead with Kang's appointment, but analysts say the chances are slim.

Kang underwent a tough hearing at the Assembly, where she apologized for registering a false residence to enable her daughter to attend a prestigious high school; and explained other allegations concerning tax evasion and plagiarism. She added that her daughter was prepared to renounce her U.S. citizenship as this too was considered a stumbling block for her appointment.

The People's Party confirmed its official stance Thursday on three other nominees ― Kim Sang-jo as head of the Fair Trade Commission (FTC), Kim Dong-yeon as finance minister, and Kim Yi-su as president of the Constitutional Court.

The party said it will endorse the former two, while remaining firmly against Kang and vague on Kim Yi-su. "The ethical lapses of Kang have not been resolved. We also failed to find any outstanding ability that would mitigate such flaws," said Rep. Lee Un-ju, a party spokesperson.

"The party will call for a joint report that she is unfit for the post. If the ruling party disagrees with us, we will reject adopting the report."

Regarding Kim Yi-su, the nominee for chief of the top court, the party said it will decide after finishing a second hearing, Thursday. The party said it will request an audit for Kim Sang-jo on the allegations made against him as a condition for its approval. The joint report on him is expected to be adopted by the National Policy Committee, Friday.

With regard to Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon, the second-largest opposition party, based in the Jeolla region, backed the former South Jeolla governor to get him confirmed. The decision helped him pass a mandatory plenary session vote in the Assembly.

Rumors are rampant that Kang, a challenger to be the first female foreign minister, is being made a "political scapegoat" for a "deal" between the ruling and opposition parties, as Cheong Wa Dae couldn't abandon FTC nominee Kim Sang-jo, picked to spearhead the reform of family-run conglomerates.

Moon also needs to request the opposition parties' cooperation to pass a supplementary budget bill, designed to implement his main pledge ― support for job creation.

The ruling DPK pleaded with the opposition bloc for Kang's appointment. "She hopes to break the glass ceiling and serve the nation," DPK spokeswoman Kim Hyun said in a statement. "The career diplomat has proven abilities in multilateral diplomacy as shown by her work at the United Nations and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs."

When President Moon appointed her, the silver-haired nominee caught attention for her rare career as a minister who had never taken the foreign affairs exam. Her forward-thinking views on human rights and the comfort women issue gained positive attention as well.

The ruling party convened a general meeting to draw up plans to nominate Kang. "The opposition parties may aim to save face by not approving one or two nominees. However, cooperation to fill the power vacuum as early as possible would be more appreciated," Chairwoman Choo Mi-ae said in the meeting.

Meanwhile, the largest opposition Liberty Korea Party (LKP) has not stopped its political offensives toward all nominees. Though the People's Party has softened its stances, the LKP has consistently called for the withdrawal of three nominees with the exception of Kim Dong-yeon. It even lodged a complaint with the prosecution against Kim Sang-jo's wife for alleged corruption.