[EDITORIALS]Four flawed nominees

Things are strained to the breaking point on the Korean Peninsula. At this time of peril, when a stronger security system is needed, the reshuffling of important cabinet posts is heading the opposite way.
Under the name of the engagement policy, the cabinet reshuffling is only strengthening and developing the current instability.
What can be the intention of this political measure? How should the South Korean people, allies and North Korea interpret this?
The most worrisome choice is Kim Man-bok the head of the National Intelligence Service. Doubts have arisen as to whether the Ilsimhoe espionage case can be properly handled. “Kim Man-bok, the designated head of the intelligence service, had the chance to adjust the president’s code,” said the incumbent head Kim Seung-kyu, in a newspaper interview. The two had fought about the ongoing investigation of the espionage case. The results of the investigation seem to be obvious.
Song Min-soon, appointed minister of foreign affairs and trade, is the person who will be responsible for the failure of the country’s foreign and security policies. Recently, Mr. Song referred to the United States as the most belligerent country in human history, which made his name known to policy makers in Washington. How can a person like this re-establish the damaged relationship between South Korea and the United States?
Lee Jae-jung, appointed minister of unification, believes it is inevitable that North Korea will conduct another nuclear test. “Considering the other countries, a secondary nuclear test should not be overly interpreted,” the nominee said. North Korea is under UN Security Council sanctions and the new minister is still optimistic about the issue. And more, this man has been convicted of illegally raising money for President Roh during the election. He was pardoned and reinstated only last year. Pardoning a person related with his own election is awkward, but appointing him to a high post is worse.
One day before the shuffle, Kim Han-gill, the floor leader for Uri Party, said that a cabinet able to manage the diplomatic and economic risks is needed.
The Blue House immediately released the new cabinet list, albeit unofficially. The act seemed designed to ignore the Uri Party’s suggestion.
At this time, the Uri Party must fiercely question the nominees at the assembly hearings and not just remain quiet. The public will never be cheated by just empty manifestations that are not followed up by practices.