[Editorial] Without Proof, Without Approval

The Congress rejected the appointment of Premier-select Chang Sang yesterday by a big margin for nays. The rejection sent a big blow to the Kim Dae Jung administration, which has already been reeling from lame duck due to various scandals including the corruption charges against President’ sons. It is worried that the absence of administration’s head might accelerate the moral hazard and symptoms of lame duck waging within the executive branch of government. President Kim should find a new candidate and get the Congress’ approval as early as possible. Of course, the acting premier system shall not be mobilized, which is not provided in the Constitution.

President Kim should take the fundamental responsibilities for all the possible consequences from the rejection. To begin with, many people agree, the reason for selecting Mrs. Chang as Premier came from a political calculation. President seems to have hoped for an easy passage through Congress’ scrutiny, whose majority is nominated by the opposing party, by designating a female Premier for the first time in history.

We have expected quite a lot. We believed appointment of a female premier could contribute significantly to women’s status in society, at least symbolically. Nonetheless, the credentials other than gender should have come first, such as morality, qualification and ability. If it had been easy just because of the gender, it would have been a case of reverse discrimination.

During the hearing, Chang was not up to our expectations for the first female premier. She kept showing us negative aspects including the false educational background concerning the school from which she earned a doctorate degree, illegal remodeling of her apartment unit and speculation in real estate. Especially, she disappointed the public by frequently answering in contradicting ways, making excuses and blaming others for the scandals.

It is regretful to reject the appointment of the first female premier-select. But one thing clear is the fact that the rejection was due to Chang’s lack of qualifications and morality, not due to her gender. In this respect, the politicians blaming others due to the female votes might distort the essence of the matter.