Photo: Yoon Suk-yeol appoints Kim Chang-gi has the head of the National Tax Service. Credit: Office of the President.
In an unprecedented move, president Yoon Suk-yeol 윤석열 대통령 appointed the head of the National Tax Service 국세청 without a legislative hearing.
On June 14, Kim Chang-gi 김창기 was appointed to head one of the so-called “Four Institutes of Power” 4대 권력기관 (National Intelligence Service 국가정보원, Supreme Prosecutor’s Office 검찰총장, National Police Agency 경찰청 and the NTS) without a hearing from the National Assembly 국회.
It is the first time in South Korea’s democratic history a President has appointed such a post without a legislative heading first. Although a legislative hearing and approval are not mandatory, public examination of the nominees of the Four Institutes of Power has been the norm.
On the other hand, Yoon held back the appointments of Education Minister nominee Park Sun-ae 박순애 교육부장관 지명자 and Health Minister nominee Kim Seung-hee 김승희 보건복지부장관 지명자 for legislative hearings, as Park faced controversy over her record of drunk driving and Kim over her daughter’s nepotism hire.
