President Lee Jae-myung has appointed Im Kwang-hyun, the head of the National Tax Service, as the new chief of staff. Im joined the Democratic Party ahead of the 2024 general elections and entered the National Assembly as a proportional representative. He was later appointed as the head of the National Tax Service when the Lee administration began, and now he will serve as the chief of staff, closely assisting the president.
This rapid advancement has sparked controversy over reward appointments. The issue stems from Im's brother-in-law, lawyer Lee Mo, who has represented President Lee in various legal matters, including allegations of violating election laws, witness tampering, and illegal remittances to North Korea. Additionally, Im's wife, who is the sister of the lawyer, was controversially appointed as the consul general in Houston, Texas, despite not being a career diplomat. Given the ongoing concerns surrounding appointments linked to the president's legal counsel and their families, the latest appointment raises further alarm.
There are also concerns about the trend of appointing individuals with ties to the president in key government and public institution positions. This includes appointments in the Office of the Chief of Staff, the Prime Minister's Office, the Ministry of Legislation, the National Intelligence Service, the Financial Supervisory Service, and diplomatic missions. Recently, a member of the so-called 'Seongnam Line,' who had previously worked with President Lee and Chief of Staff Kim Hyun-ji in civic organizations, was appointed as the head of an energy public enterprise, despite receiving low scores in candidate evaluations and a salary exceeding 200 million won. This raises doubts about whether public service appointments are based on merit and qualifications or rather on connections to the president.
While having a relationship with the president should not disqualify someone from public office, appointments should be made based on ability, expertise, and fair procedures, rather than personal connections. This is particularly concerning as recent polls show President Lee's approval rating has dropped from over 60% at the beginning of his term to around 30%. Amid controversies over the push to dismiss charges against him, infighting within the ruling party, distrust in real estate policies, and instability in South Korea-U.S. relations, the public is looking for genuine reform rather than the appointment of close associates.
In 2015, while serving as the mayor of Seongnam, President Lee criticized 'incompetent parachute appointments' and expressed his commitment to operating Seongnam FC fairly and transparently. The principles he emphasized then should still apply today. It is time for the president to reflect on whether the fairness and transparency he advocated as the owner of Seongnam FC are being upheld in the appointments made in the administration.
As the controversy over appointments continues, the Blue House should focus on assessing the government's direction and restoring public trust, rather than justifying the appointment of close associates. If the administration fails to listen to public concerns and merely promotes personnel changes, few will accept this as true reform.
The chief of staff's role is not just to convey and execute the president's wishes. It also involves understanding public sentiment and providing candid advice when judgments are misguided, ensuring that governance aligns with the will of the people. Advisors who only relay flattering remarks to the president cannot navigate a crisis in governance.
Im must demonstrate the fairness of appointments and convey public sentiment, even if it is uncomfortable for the president. The president should prioritize the qualifications and abilities of those who work for the public over personal connections. What the president needs is not just loyal associates but advisors who can halt misguided paths. This appointment will test whether the chief of staff can serve as a red team that warns of risks in governance rather than merely being the president's right-hand man.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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