Moon nominates progressive ex-education superintendent for deputy PM

President Moon Jae-in on Sunday tapped a progressive former Gyeonggi Province education superintendent for the post of deputy prime minister and education minister.

Along with Education Minister nominee Kim Sang-kon, the presidential office announced the nominations of four ministers, and four vice minister-level positions including that of the head of National Institute of Korean History.

Other ministerial nominees include Ahn Kyong-whan for Ministry of Justice, Song Young-moo for Ministry of National Defense, Kim Eun-kyung for the Ministry of Environment, and Cho Dae-yop for the Ministry of Employment and Labor.

Kim, the education minister nominee, served two consecutive terms as the superintendent of education for Gyeonggi Province from 2009 to 2014.

“(Kim) is expected to successfully lead education reform tasks including establishing a future oriented public education system, strengthening the fairness of (university) entrance process, and providing fair education opportunities,” Cheong Wa Dae spokesman Park Soo-hyun said.

Justice Minister nominee Ahn is a legal scholar who served as the head of the National Human Rights Commissions between 2006 and 2009.

As for the reasons for nominating Ahn, the presidential office said that he would be able to increase the independence of the public prosecutors’ office, adding that he “fought to defend the independence” of the human rights commission.

Defense Minister nominee Song is a graduate of the Navy academy, and served as the chief of naval operations. If approved by the National Assembly, Song’s appointment would mark a break away from the tradition of former Army officers taking the helm of the ministry. Environment Minister nominee Kim is a former presidential aide, who the presidential office described as having in-depth knowledge in environmental issues.

Along with the minister nominees, Han Sung-hee was tapped to lead the National Tax Service, Ahn Byung-ok to take the post of vice minister of environment, and Yi Sung-ki for the post of vice labor minister.

Han is currently the chief of the Seoul branch of the tax office, while Ahn Byung-ok is an environmental activist. Yi had a long career with the Labor Ministry before taking a professor position at that Korea University of Technology and Education. Cho Kwang, a historian and educator, will lead the National Institute of Korean History.

In what is seen as a pre-emptive move, the presidential office also revealed potentially problematic issues surrounding two of the nominees.

In announcing the nominations, a Cheong Wa Dae spokesman revealed that Cho has a record of driving under the influence of alcohol, while Song may have violated the Resident Registration Act.

“It has been revealed during the vetting process that Cho has (a record of) drink driving. The issue will be dealt with in the confirmation hearing, but an accident was not involved (in the incident),” Park said.

Park added that Song’s alleged violation of the registration act occurred due to “characteristics of military (life)” and that the issue will be dealt with at the parliament.

By Choi He-suk (cheesuk@heraldcorp.com)