[Editorial] Tension between Blue House aide and justice minister is painful to watch

Posted on : 2021-02-18 17:57 KST Modified on : 2021-02-18 17:57 KST
Shin Hyun-soo, the Blue House senior presidential secretary for civil affairs, talks to reporters after his appointment on Dec. 31, 2020. (provided by the Blue House)
Shin Hyun-soo, the Blue House senior presidential secretary for civil affairs, talks to reporters after his appointment on Dec. 31, 2020. (provided by the Blue House)

Shin Hyun-soo, the Blue House senior presidential secretary for civil affairs, has repeatedly attempted to tender his resignation to South Korean President Moon Jae-in over a recent run-in with Minister of Justice Park Beom-kye concerning the appointments of chief prosecutors.

According to sources, Shin has remained adamant about resigning despite Moon's repeated efforts to dissuade him. The spectacle has been painful to watch.

Various evidence suggests that Shin's intent to resign is an expression of his unhappiness over Park's decision to go ahead with prosecutorial appointments without reflecting Shin's position that Park should give prosecutors' opinions more consideration.

On Feb. 17, a senior Blue House official explained, "The Justice Minister reported and announced his appointment plan [to the President] before coordination [with Shin] had been completed."

"Minister Park has gone about procedures in a manner that reflects his views," the official said.

It's reasonable enough for a Minister of Justice to draw up a plan for prosecutor appointments. But the practice in the past has been for them to coordinate with the senior presidential secretary for civil affairs, through whom they seek the President's approval.

Moon's actions — essentially apologizing to the public for the row between Park's predecessor Choo Mi-ae and Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl and selecting Shin, a former prosecutor, as his senior secretary — appear to have had the aim of entrusting Shin with the role of mediating differences between the Ministry of Justice and prosecutors.

Yet Park made his report directly to Moon and proceeded with the appointments due to his concerns that Shin would object. It's an incomprehensible way of going about things.

The situation also stands to hurt Moon's standing. Ruling Democratic Party officials said they expressed their support for Park's appointment plan on the assumption that it had been coordinated with Shin.

According to this explanation, the spat had nothing to do with Moon — but that seems somewhat implausible in light of how the Blue House has traditionally handled these things. It's enough to leave you wondering whether Moon has a firm grip on his Blue House and Cabinet, or if we're seeing some of his power slipping away as he nears the end of his term.

The South Korean public hoped that the newly appointed Park and Shin would put to bed the conflict between Choo and Yoon over the past year or so, turning over a new leaf for the Ministry of Justice and prosecutors alike. The Blue House should be aware that some people view Shin's resignation attempts as signaling a repeat of the clash between the Blue House and prosecutors.

Shin, for his part, should conduct himself more cautiously. He is reported to have repeatedly told figures in the Democratic Party and legal world that his "pride has been wounded" and that he is "too ashamed to go on."

While there may be some debate as to whether he can adequately serve as a bridge between the ministry and prosecutors, a senior secretary is, in the end, just an adviser. They can provide suggestions to the President, but it is the President who is empowered to make the final decision.

Unless Shin has indeed concluded that he and the President are too far apart to work together, he should withdraw his resignation notice.

Please direct questions or comments to [english@hani.co.kr]

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