(News Focus) President Lee prioritizes stability over change in picking premier

By Lee Chi-dong
SEOUL, Sept. 16 (Yonhap) -- President Lee Myung-bak's choice of a long-time judge
and now the top state auditor as his new prime minister reflects his quest for
stability, instead of taking risks again, in the latter half of his five-year
presidency, experts said Thursday.
"President Lee seems to have chosen stability over change," Lee Chul-hee, vice
head of Korea Society Opinion Institute, said with regard to the
widely-anticipated nomination of Kim Hwang-sik, chairman of the Board of Audit
and Inspection (BAI).
He said the president's top consideration must have been the appointment of a
nominee who would easily pass the National Assembly's confirmation hearing.
The president initially thought of a generational change in the country's
leadership by surprisingly picking Kim Tae-ho, a 47-year-old former governor, as
the replacement of Chung Un-chan, who resigned disgracefully after his push for
revising a government relocation plan was foiled by the parliament.
But the Aug. 8 Cabinet shake-up is in the tatters as Kim resigned amid
accusations of several unethical acts, including a lie about his personal ties
with a businessman convicted of bribery during the National Assembly's
confirmation hearing. Two others selected to ministerial posts also quit in the
face of similar allegations over their morality.
The presidential office, Cheong Wa Dae, expressed confidence that the new
designate known for morality and integrity will be confirmed by the National
Assembly. The BAI boss, 62, went through the confirmation hearing two years ago
for his current job.
Opposition parties may raise questions again about his exemption from mandatory
military service decades ago. Yim Tae-hee, presidential chief of staff, said it
was a legitimate case as medical check-ups found problems in his eyesight at that
time.
Analysts also agreed that Cheong Wa Dae appears to have considered the nominee's
hometown. He was born in a small country town in South Jeolla Province. He became
the first prime minister nominee from the southwestern province, a time-honored
stronghold of the main opposition Democratic Party.
"I think President Lee sought a safe choice this time rather than an adventure,"
said Kim Meen-jeon, a political scientist at Kyung Hee University.
The president would not want to bear another political burden from tough
confirmation hearings as his second half of leadership already got off to a rough
start due to the failed Cabinet shake-up, she added.
If Lee's prime minister nominee becomes embroiled once again in legal or ethical
controversy, it may sound the death knell for his ambitious "fair society" drive,
she pointed out.
In fact, Cheong Wa Dae stressed that Kim is well qualified to champion the fair
society campaign, a core policy of the Lee administration these days, given his
personal background and career.
Many expect the nominee to pass confirmation hearings relatively easily as he is
not affiliated with politics and any specific policy.
Some say the role of South Korea's prime minister will be weakened further while
powerful Cabinet members such as Minister for Special Affairs Lee Jae-oh will
have more say in government affairs. Lee, once a power broker, is said to be one
of the potential presidential candidates. The next presidential election is
scheduled for December 2012.
lcd@yna.co.kr
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