By Kim Sue-young
Staff Reporter
In Korean politics, deep regionalism has prevailed. President Lee tried to break the taboo, but Korea sees signs of rekindling the regionalism which has been latent recently, as President Lee's southeastern hometown boys monopolize key public posts, such as the National Intelligence Service (NIS), the Justice Ministry, the prosecution, the police and senior presidential secretary for civil affairs. The five posts are regarded as the nerve center for running the government.
Both former Justice Minister Kim Sung-ho, a nominee for the NIS head, and Prosecutor General Lim Chae-jin were born in Namhae, South Gyeongsang Province.
Justice Minister-designate Kim Kyung-han and Lee Jong-chan, the senior presidential secretary for civil affairs, are from Andong, North Gyeongsang Province and Goseong, South Gyeongsang Province, respectively.
Eo Cheong-soo, set to lead the National Police Agency, is also a Gyeongsang native.
Once the nominees from the Gyeongsang region successfully take the chief posts, people from their hometown or alma mater will likely fill up key positions.
To divert criticism, Cheong Wa Dae appointed figures from the comparatively neglected Jeolla region and other provinces as heads of the government agencies.
However, Lee Chun-ho and Nam Ju-hong, North Chungcheong and South Jeolla natives, respectively, withdrew their candidacy for the gender equality ministry and the unification ministry over property speculation.
Cheong Wa Dae officials explained the office tried to appoint figures who share the vision of the President instead of seeking to strike a regional balance.
Presidential Spokesman Lee Dong-kwan also downplayed the dominance of the southeastern natives saying ``The prosecutor general and the head of the National Police Agency were appointed by former President Roh Moo-hyun.''
Mounting voices from political parties are still against President Lee's picks.
``I doubt that those nominees can meet basic qualifications to fulfill the major duties,'' said Spokesman Yoo Jong-pil of the United Democratic Party (UDP), calling the government agencies a ``reunion of Gyeongsang natives.''
The governing GNP also slammed the selection, questioning whether the presidential office could find better figures who do not invite criticism or stir up controversy.
Lee Myung-bak won the presidential election in December largely on the back of strong support from the southeastern provinces and Seoul in a competition with liberal Chung Dong-young from the southwestern provinces.
Regional conflict between eastern and western regions have been deeply rooted in South Korea since government-led construction projects in the 1970s enriched the southeastern Gyeongsang provinces.
As President Lee Myung-bak appointed a person from a more-developed region as justice minister Thursday, disputes over regionalism have been rekindled.
The governing Grand National Party (GNP) expressed worry that the President's disregard of regional balance in key posts may lead to low support in the upcoming Assembly elections.