Controversy of Kim Byung-jun, Commissioner for Decentralization of Power Statement in Japan

Kim Byung-jun, commissioner for reinventing the government and decentralizing power, said in a statement on March 9, “The Korean legislative body constantly nipping at the president has become a force of habit, and it exhausts the citizens as well as incurs the loss of national interests,” and also claimed, “‘The power of the National Assembly’ which has been repeating old and obsolete methods should be transformed in the April election.”

Commissioner Kim added, “As much as the change in the political atmosphere is arousing the citizens’ sympathy, the prospect for the April election seems hopeful” at the “Evaluation of President Roh’s one year administration and the future of Korea-Japan relationship” symposium which was held jointly by the Korean consulate in Japan and the Mainichi Times in Tokyo, Japan.

Commissioner Kim’s criticism of the National Assembly and suggestion to radically replace assemblymen is likely to stir controversy as it may be translated to be supporting the Uri Party.

He mentioned, “The power of the National Assembly today has over-issued the motion to release Cabinet members, rejected the consent to radically nominate the chairman of the Board of Audit and Inspection (BAI), obscured the ongoing investigation by constantly inviting the special counsel, and falsified national functions,” and added, “Ultimately the National Assembly is receiving harsh criticism of being a fetter to the national development.”

In a copy that Commissioner Kim distributed in advance, he wrote, “In case the Uri Party, the actual party in power, loses this election, it will become the saddest event in the history of Korea. This is because the force of revolution that has been conceived all this time will fizzle into smoke.” However, immediately before his speech, this part was removed by the Korean consulate stationed in Japan.

Won-Jae Park parkwj@donga.com