Surprise appointments

President Lee Myung-bak appointed the heads of the prosecution and the national
tax service, two of the most powerful branches of the government, in the most
surprising manner, heralding a wave of innovative steps to invigorate his largely
languid 16-month-old government.

The naming of Chun Sung-gwan, 52, current chief of the Seoul Central Prosecutors'
Office, as the top prosecutor was particularly noteworthy. It came a month after
the suicide of former President Roh Moo-hyun, which raised a gust of criticism
from liberal circles and political opposition for the prosecutors' ruthless
investigation into a money scandal involving leaders of the last administration.
Prosecutor-General Im Chae-jin resigned but the stunning appointment indicated
the president's distrust in the present leadership of the prosecution.
President Lee may be able to shirk a bit of censure over the tragic death of the
former president, but he could also incur complaints from prosecutors who might
have believed that they were faithfully fulfilling their duty of uncovering
improprieties. As it is customary in the bureaucracy, some high-ranking
prosecutors may now resign as a lower post holder has overtaken them. An
extensive reshuffle is expected in the entire organization.
From the viewpoint of ensuring organizational stability which is a prerequisite
for the independence of the prosecutors' office, such an abrupt transition does
not augur well. Yet, it is hoped that prosecutors nationwide will make a fresh
start with a new resolve and outlook in performing their mission of establishing
justice in this turbulent society. And the same is requested of the National Tax
Service personnel, who now have a new leader brought in from academia by
President Lee.
New NTS chief-designate Baek Yong-ho, 53, who has been the chairman of the Fair
Trade Commission in the Lee administration, will have a heavy task in reforming
the tax office, which has had three chiefs in a row retiring in disgrace. His
academic background can either be an asset or a burden depending on how adroitly
he can apply theories and principles on the complex business of tax
administration, especially the always controversial job of tax investigation.
Cabinet ministers may now feel a reshuffle is imminent, despite the president's
remarks in his meetings with party leaders last week that he is not in favor of
rearranging the cabinet as a means of "freshening up the political atmosphere," a
ploy his predecessors had often experimented with. Administrative stability is
important, and the president should not tinker with cabinet posts to divert from
his own responsibilities.
(END)