Justice Minister’s Dismissal Approaching?

Rumors have it that the Minister of Justice Kim Sung-ho will be dismissed even before the next cabinet reshuffling.

It is said in the political and legal circles that Cheong Wa Dae is not happy with the minister’s recent remarks.

The dismissal of Minister Kim, who was tapped just 10 months ago, is closely linked to President Roh’s policy direction and it is a very touchy issue. The fate of the Justice Minister, who ultimately determines what is right and wrong, would have a significant impact on the December presidential election.

He is at odds with Cheong Wa Dae. Is it the reason for a possible dismissal?-

On June 11 at the National Assembly, when asked about the constitutionality of Article 9 of the election law by the lawmakers, he answered, “I don’t think it is unconstitutional. There can be many different opinions on the article’s constitutionality. And it is the job of the Constitutional Court to decide its constitutionality.” His answer must have angered Cheong Wa Dae.

When notified by the National Election Commission that he violated the election law, the president said, “I think the election law is unconstitutional.” In other words, what the president said and what the Minister said conflict with each other.

Back then, Cheong Wa Dae spokesperson Cheon Ho-seon was trying to look calm by saying, “Didn’t the Justice Ministry clarify that that was not what the minister meant?” However, it was said that Cheong Wa Dae was quite angered by the minister’s remarks. A government official said, “Cheong Wa Dae officials strongly complained about what the minister said. And the atmosphere at the Cheong Wa Dae then was not very good.”

The media compared Minister Kim’s remarks with those of the prime minister, and said Kim did a courageous act. People say that the media egged on Cheong Wa Dae.

In a university lecture, Minister Kim described the deeds of Hanwha chairman Kim Seung-yeon, who is behind bars now, as admirable fatherly revenge. He also said the court of law should make allowances for circumstances, stirring up controversy. He later retracted his words and said, “I was just joking.” Of course, Cheong Wa Dae was not happy with what he said and commented, “That was an inappropriate expression.”

It is alleged that Cheong Wa Dae took issue with the minister’s reaction to the president’s proposal to amend the Constitution to allow the re-election of a president.

According to rumors, Cheong Wa Dae officials complained, “Minister Kim is very passively responding to a project the president places priority on.”

A vast majority of political observers say that Cheong Wa Dae’s dissatisfaction with the minister is so great that it cannot be resolved easily. This is the reason why people talk about Kim’s dismissal.

An immediate dismissal?-

Regarding Kim’s discharge, a senior Cheong Wa Dae official said, “Currently, the president is not considering it.” A close friend of Kim said, “Kim is just doing well. There is no problem.” A state minister privately said, “Sitting government ministers will be retained until the last day of the president’s term in office.”

However, others consistently say that Kim will be sacked soon.

A government official said, “Cheong Wa Dae is considering Kim’s dismissal, but will have a hard time finding his replacement.”

A legal practitioner who used to hold a high position in the current administration said, “Rumors of Kim’s discharge has been around for a month and it is not dying down.”

Against this backdrop, the Justice Ministry expects that at a closed-door policy coordination meeting scheduled to be held on June 14, Kim’s fate will be determined. Minister Kim is participating in the meeting, which will be presided over by the president. A government source said, “The atmosphere of the gathering will be very serious.”

Kim’s dismissal would heavily affect the presidential election in December-

Because he is justice minister, his dismissal is not just the sacking of a minister. The justice minister holds sway in the way sensitive issues in the presidential election are dealt with.

Back in 2002, when a prosecutors’ investigation into draft dodge allegations of then candidate Lee Hoi-chang’s son was going on, the ruling and opposition parties were at loggerheads with each other.

If President Roh fires Kim because of his lack of support for him, Kim’s successor will likely be one who is very loyal to Roh. If this is the case, then opposition camps in the presidential election will fiercely fight over the government’s neutrality in elections. For these reasons, the political circle is paying keen attention to the minister’s dismissal.

jyw11@donga.com jin0619@donga.com