Heated Debate about Acting Prime Minister

Both of the Millennium Democratic Party (MDP) and the Grand National Party (GNP) were busy, on July 16, calculating their own profits and losses with the launch of the administration under Chang Sang (acting Prime Minister). The MDP, in appearance, was attacking the GNP for its abuse of majority power. But deep down, the MDP worried about the ripple effects on it. On the other hand, the GNP was considering what possible counter-attacks they might sustain in railing against the new Prime Minister (PM) and, accordingly, at what level they would have to wage the offense.

▽MDP = The MDP’s spokesman, Lee Nak-yun criticized the GNP, “All of sudden, the GNP is making issue of the acting prime minister system. It’s only causing confusion in governance.”

In the meanwhile, Roh, the presidential candidate of the MDP, contended in a statement announced by his Chief of Staff Chong Dong-Chae, “Prime Minister Chang should keep low profile until she is approved in the Congress.” This remark of him came after days of silence. What he really meant was that the acting PM should temporarily put on hold all activities other than preparation for the approval hearing at the end of this month, in order to survive the expected excruciating scrutiny by the GNP.

Chairman of the MDP, Han Hwa-Kop, argued for tackling each and every issue raised regarding the new PM, saying, “At the hearing, we should keep objectivity and do what we are supposed to do.”

Kim Sung-ho (Rep.) also asserted at a meeting of the party members, “Just coddling up Chang simply because she is the first female prime minister would not get us women’s votes. We shall demonstrate her ability and morality as prime minister.”

▽GNP = Choi Yon-hee, a chairperson of an intra-party committee, rebuked, “Our Constitution mandates Congressional approval before a prime minister takes office. Nonetheless, Chang’s acts as prime minister without the approval. It is unconstitutional.”

The GNP’s spokesman Nam also counterattacked the MDP’s allegation that Candidate Lee also had taken office as prime minister prior to obtaining the approval, saying, “Lee underwent all the necessary procedures for approval right on the day he was selected. Only then, he assumed the duty of the prime minister. The MDP, perplexed at the rumors around Chang, is distorting the fact everyone knows.”

But senior members of the GNP, worrying that they might look like abusing their majority power, repeatedly said, “We are not demanding Chang stop all her activities. We are just asking for her prudent behavior.”

In response to the rumor that Chang might refuse to appear before the Congress, the senior members conceded, “In a nutshell, her refusal is what we wish for.”

Sung-Won Park Young-Hae Choi swpark@donga.com yhchoi65@donga.com