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The reason why a vote could not take place at the National Assembly on Wednesday over the confirmation of prime minister-designate Han Seung-soo is said to be fierce opposition from United Democratic Party lawmakers who had been charged with or indicted by prosecutors following accusations from the Grand National Party during the last presidential election. The UDP¡¯s leadership, including the party¡¯s leader and its floor leader decided to take part in the day¡¯s vote, while leaving it up to each of its lawmakers to support or reject Han. But the UDP lawmakers who are being investigated by prosecutors over the BBK stock-manipulation allegations leveled against then presidential candidate Lee Myung-bak led the way in boycotting the vote.
The UDP is said to have asked the GNP to withdraw the charges in exchange for participating in the vote. The UDP lawmakers who have been charged are said to be afraid of losing their leverage to pressure the Lee administration if they confirm Han without any assurances that the GNP will withdraw the charges. The UDP postponed the vote until Feb. 29, but there is no guarantee that it can take place then as long as the GNP refuses to withdraw its charges. The confirmation of the first prime minister of the new government is being held hostage by the side effects of the presidential election.
No matter how urgent the prime minister¡¯s confirmation may be, it cannot be easy for the GNP to withdraw its charges so abruptly. Following an investigation, prosecutors ruled that the BBK allegations were groundless and an independent counsel, whose appointment the UDP had sought, came to the same conclusion. The chances have become higher that lawmakers who made the groundless allegations during the presidential election could face punishment. The public believes that they should be punished following a thorough investigation, even after the presidential election has ended, to ensure that such irresponsible and damaging acts will not be repeated in future elections. If everything is dropped just three months after the presidential election, then false allegations will be made again and again in the future.
Some may say that the BBK incident is not the same as the Kim Dae-eop incident during the 2002 presidential election, when Kim¡¯s allegations (later proven to be false) of draft-dodging by then conservative candidate Lee Hoi-chang¡¯s sons cost him the race. Others may say the smooth launch of the new government must happen as soon as possible. The new government and the GNP now have to make a wise move that balances the need to take legal steps, while addressing the realistic need to get the government operating normally. The UDP may be able to avoid legal consequences by using the confirmation vote as a weapon. But this type of political deal making will end up costing the UDP, just as the Lee administration is facing criticism for its process of nominating government officials.
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