Difficulties Lie ahead before NA Confirms Roh`s Nominee as BAI Head

President Roh Moo-hyun yesterday requested the National Assembly to endorse Yoon Sung-sig as head of the Board of Audit and Inspection (BAI). However, it is unclear whether the Assembly will approve the president`s nominee at a vote, scheduled for today, because both the Millennium Democratic Party (MDP) and the opposition Grand National Party (GNP) have reservations with the nominee.

In a press briefing at Cheong Wa Dae yesterday, a day before the scheduled vote, the president said, "The National Assembly, controlled by an opposition party, is unfavorable to the government in terms of national administration. However, the Assembly and the GNP, in particular, has well cooperated with the government."

Mr. Roh showed his hope that the Assembly will approve his nominee saying, "Yoon has long studied (audit and inspection systems) and has won recognition in the academia."

With regard to the fact that Yoon`s children are U.S. citizens, the president said that in the globalized world, it is not wise to take issue with this, as long as the acquirement of U.S. citizenship is neither illegal nor anti-governmental. And in response to the indications that Yoon lacks statesmanship, Roh explained that a figure with no experience in administration could help create a new culture.

However, Rep. Hong Sa-duk, floor leader of the GNP, said that after observing the hearing members` opinions, the party would decide whether to set a party line or to opt for cross-voting.

Hong also said, "GNP chairman Choe Byung-yul and I believe that if the nominee is competent enough and is qualified, Roh`s relationship with our party will not have an impact on the vote."

Meeting with reporters, Rep. Park Sang-cheon of the MDP said, "We will decide on the issue at a party general meeting right before the start of the National Assembly`s plenary session on Friday. Our party is not in blind support of the government`s nomination."

Meanwhile, Rep. Kim Keun-tae of the new party, formed mainly by former MDP members loyal to President Roh Moo-hyun, said, "Until now, the BAI has just focused on disclosure and punishment. Yoon is the right person to reform the current inspection authorities."