|
President Lee Myung-bak on Wednesday appointed three new ministers without confirmation hearings since the National Assembly is in deadlock. Ahn Byong-man is the new education minister, Chang Tae-pyong agriculture minister, and Jeon Jae-hee health minister. The appointment was possible because parliament had failed to act by the deadline on Tuesday.
The main opposition Democratic Party protested, giving rise to fears that the deadlock will continue.
A senior presidential official said, "Lawmakers missed the July 30 deadline, the 20th day since the president asked them to examine the candidates. Nor had they finished confirmation hearings by a new Aug. 5 deadline set by the president, so the president appointed the three ministers to fill the vacuum in government." By law, the house must finish confirmation hearings 20 days after the presidential request.
The ruling Grand National Party said the decision was regrettable but inevitable. The ruling party pledged to discuss with the Liberty Forward Party and the Renewal of Korea Party to find ways to normalize parliament if the DP continues to stall.
But DP Chairman Chung Sye-kyun said the government tried to dodge confirmation hearings for the candidates because the opposition was preparing to find fault with their qualifications. "The appointment of the ministers is a declaration of war on the opposition,¡± he said. ¡°Cheong Wa Dae will be responsible for all problems that result."
(englishnews@chosun.com )
|
