Han Chan-sik appointment weighed understanding of prosecution reform, Cheong Wa Dae says

Cheong Wa Dae chief spokesperson Kang Yu-jung said Tuesday that the appointment of Han Chan-sik as the new senior secretary for civil affairs weighed "the level of understanding required of the civil affairs secretary regarding the direction of (prosecution) reform and change, the rigor needed, and the ability to bear the weight of carrying out this policy task."

The remarks appeared intended to emphasize that the appointment was merit-based, amid strong backlash within the ruling camp over Han's past role as a prosecutor who investigated the so-called Ministry of Environment blacklist case during the Moon Jae-in administration.

Kang made the comments in a morning interview on CBS Radio's Park Sung-tae News Show, adding that "from the government's perspective, the degree of familiarity with and understanding of the organization that is the subject of (reform) is also very important in carrying out the work."

Asked whether Han's background as a former prosecutor had influenced the presidential office's decision, Kang said, "In the end, isn't the responsibility to show results?" She added that the appointee "should be someone who can demonstrate, through accountable results, what role they can play in completing prosecution reform."

President Lee Jae Myung has appointed three consecutive former prosecutors to the civil affairs secretary post — Oh Gwang-su, Bong Uk and now Han — drawing criticism from within the ruling camp questioning whether the administration is genuinely committed to reform. Lee has also taken a reserved stance on abolishing supplementary investigative powers, saying he would prefer they be "kept to a minimum," while Democratic Party of Korea leader Jung Chung-rae has called for full abolition, splitting opinion among the party's supporters.

On tensions between the presidential office and the party, Kang said the two sides were "not structured to directly communicate on policy matters or coordinate like a ministry and its departments," but added that the office was "listening carefully to the many people raising such concerns."

She added that "Cheong Wa Dae has things it can do, things only Cheong Wa Dae can say," and said the office must "prove itself through its work, doing its utmost."

On President Lee's approval rating recording a so-called "dead cross" for the first time, Kang said it was a sign that "the public may be feeling some discomfort about the state of livelihoods and the economy." She said the administration would take it as an occasion to reflect on whether the government needed to show the kind of momentum that people could actually feel.