[Opinion] Labor Minister Lee’s Personal Interest Comes before Official Duty

President Roh Moo-hyun reshuffles his cabinet soon when his presidency is only six months left. We are wondering whether Labor Minister Lee Sang-soo would resign as well.

President Roh appointed Lee in return for Lee’s loyalty. He has been serving in office for 18 months. This is a “long” time, according to President Roh’s definitions. President Roh recently fired Information and Communication Minister Roh Jun-hyeong, citing Minister Roh’s 16-month service as too long. Explaining President Roh’s decision to continue to “retain” Labor Minister Lee, the presidential office said that Lee shows an eagerness for his job.

No one blames a minister for her “job eagerness,” unless the eagerness is motivated by a personal interest. But it’s not the case with Minister Lee. Personal interest plays a huge role in Lee’s “dedication.” Appearing on a radio talk show last month, Lee said, “I think I will run for a congressional seat in the next election. Thus, I will resign sometime prior to February 9 2008.” All government employees should resign 60 days prior to an election if the person wishes to run for the election. His remark tells a lot about his real intent. He does not want to retain his job to serve the public. He needs the job to embellish his “election resume.”

Should Lee remain in office until next February, it will be practically impossible to hold a confirmation hearing for a new minister. The Roh administration wraps up its term around that time. Then, we have to watch the labor minister’s office stand vacant for several weeks. Furthermore, Lee’s political aspiration is likely to hamper his fairness in the upcoming presidential election. Only the president can “hire and fire” a minister. In other words, a minister does not have a guaranteed term. We don’t know and care what special relationship President Roh and Lee have. But we do care if his personal greed plays a role in the national governance.

Labor Minister Lee served in prison for five months for the illegal fund-raising of 3.5 million dollars for then candidate Roh Moo-hyun in 2004. Released on a suspended sentence, President Roh pardoned Lee in 2005, and returned his suffrage privileges. Then he ran in a congressional election. When he lost, President Roh had Lee head the Labor Ministry. Lee took the fire for Roh and got rewarded sufficiently for his loyalty. Lee is getting more than he deserves. Isn’t it time to serve the nation, Mr. Lee?

Editorial Writer Kwon Sun-taek, maypole@donga.com