Finance Minister Choi Kyung-hwan has suggested that he would quit as top economic policymaker to run for general election next April.
Choi’s plan to run for National Assembly is hardly surprising as he has been widely rumored to do so. But his expected resignation should not be taken for granted. If he does step down from his post prematurely, he will face criticism for behaving irresponsibly.
Choi is already under fire for the frivolous remarks he made last week about his current job.
When asked by an opposition lawmaker whether he would run for a parliamentary seat, Choi said he would “take all the circumstances into consideration before making a decision.”
When the lawmaker reproached him for planning to abandon his mission as top economic official for a seat in the National Assembly, Choi said in a nonchalant manner, “Well, there are many experts who are better than me (in running the economy).”
He also said, tongue in cheek, “Some opposition lawmakers have suggested that the economy would do better without me as finance minister.”
Choi’s insincere attitude is deeply disappointing, to say the least. If he really thinks that there are many who would exceed him in managing the economy, he should not have become finance minister in the first place. When President Park Geun-hye offered him the ministerial post in July 2014, he should have declined it and recommended a more qualified person to her.
A finance minister is the control tower of the national economy, as he doubles as deputy minister for economic affairs. He is required to dedicate himself to realizing the president’s economic vision, drafting and implementing long-term growth strategies and putting the sluggish economy back on track.
By suggesting he would run for the next general election, Choi clearly showed he would put his personal interests before his substantial duty as economic helmsman.
We can tell from the way he spoke about his ministerial post that he assumed it not because he was committed to steering the economy toward prosperity and for the well-being of the people, but because it would add a line to his political resume.
We hear that there are other ministers in the cabinet who have set their sights on a parliamentary seat. These irresponsible ministers should be replaced as early as possible by people who are willing to dedicate themselves to their missions.
