A safe choice but one that leaves something to be desired.
This is the general assessment of Kim Yong-joon, head of the presidential transition committee, who was nominated Thursday to become the first prime minister of the Park Geun-hye administration.
President-elect Park reaffirmed her resolve to uphold the rule of law and protect the needy, saying, ``Prime Minister nominee Kim is the right person to put the rule of law and principles in place and open up an era of happiness in which the socially weak are protected.’’
It’s thought that Park considered his proven skills role in leading the transition team since late December and made much of his impeccable record as a judge, apparently conscious of a scheduled confirmation hearing.
True, few expected Kim to be nominated because it is the first time that a transition committee chief has been designated to the No. 2 post in a new government. There is no denying that the 75-year-old former Constitutional Court president is widely respected in the legal community for his integrity, fairness and commitment to principles and the law. It’s also laudable that he overcame a physical handicap to become one of the nation’s top judges.
Yet questions remain as to whether the oldest prime minister-designate in history is qualified for the role. First of all, it’s doubtful whether he will be up to the task of commanding the Cabinet effectively as an empowered premier, as the President-elect pledged the occupant of the post would during her election campaign.
A so-called ``responsible prime minister’’ is required to have a high degree of understanding in state affairs and hold sway over Cabinet ministers with increased authority. But Kim has virtually no administrative experience, raising fears that he will remain as a figure head who will just make speeches on behalf of the chief executive.
His advanced age and weak hearing are also cited as potential problems that could hamper his role as a prime minister with greater power. Apart from difficulties in communicating with people, will he be able to crisscross the country to carry out his duties as the first prime minister of the new administration?
To dispel these concerns, Kim, in his capacity as acting prime minister, should exercise his authority to recommend Cabinet minister nominees to Park under the Constitution and the President-elect, for her part, needs to allow him to do so. This will be a short cut to dismantling the imperial presidential system and banishing the evils of cronyism in the long run.
The prime minister nominee must be fully prepared for the hearing because the main opposition Democratic United Party has promised that there will be a tough vetting process for him.
The most important thing is for Park to give him greater authority and responsibilities. It will be her volition that will make him a genuinely ``responsible prime minister.’’ To attain this goal, the president and the prime minister must share power successfully by building confidence through frequent contact although they are located separately in Seoul and Sejong City.