[Editorial] Is Roh Putting Faith in the Democratic Process?

The Congressional Intelligence Committee has submitted a formal objection based on National Intelligence Service (NIS) director-designate Goh Young-goo appointment.

In response, President Roh Moo-hyun defined the action as an insult on the part of the National Assembly. His response is quite troubling. President Roh has repeatedly stressed the importance of cooperative politics. For example, when meeting Grand National Party leader Park Hee-tae last month at the Blue House, President Roh told him to "recommend a good person for the NIS directorship." His recent comments however, fall far outside the boundaries of cooperative and harmonious politics, and contradict previous comments he made.

We remember the numerous, repeated statements of President Roh to respect lawmakers as well as his recognition of the important role of the legislative body. We also remember the tough congressmen Roh Moo-hyun during the special congressional hearing on the improprieties of the Fifth Republic in 1988. Ironically, his own brand of toughness is now in the spotlight, reversed on him.

Consider the NIS directorship. President Roh`s comments seem to reveal his ignorance of the core issue. The National Assembly is authorized to conduct hearings and state its position in a perfectly legal and lawful manner. What we wish to know is on what grounds the President can define a legal and lawful act as an abuse and insult.

President Roh has ignored the authority of the constitutional legislative branch and has furthermore personally criticized congressmen. Is this not an act of arrogance and egotism on the part of our head of state? The answer is apparent when easily considering the political principle underlying the institution of congressional hearings— that of checks and balances.

We learned a valuable lesson here. In order to root out the possibility of another similar occurrence, the National Assembly should reinforce and strengthen relevant laws concerning congressional hearings. Unlike other countries, confirmation hearings in Korea do not have binding authority on the president. A provision however could be explicitly incorporated into law, thereby making any National Assembly decision henceforth binding on the President.

We realize how President Roh`s statement affects us as well as those in the Assembly. But we will lean more towards lawmakers in this case, especially opposition party members, when they refrain from emotional counter-attacks and show rational responses. This is a political issue, thus it is not desirable to associate this issue with other matters of national interest and security. In this respect, we value Grand National Party leader Park`s promise not to link party opposition campaigns with review and passage of appropriations bills, especially on this issue of appointments.

We would truly like to see appropriate and responsible reactions on the part of the president. Professor Suh Dong-man`s appointment to the NIS associates directorship may therefore be cancelled. President Roh should listen to the opposing voice from the National Assembly.