Hwang Kyo-ahn, former prime minister who served as acting president during the impeachment crisis of former President Park Geun-hye, said on the 14th, "Protecting national security is the most important during the impeachment crisis. We must also revive the people's livelihood. It is crucial to focus on managing it so that the public does not feel anxious."
In a phone call with Chosun Biz on the same day, former Prime Minister Hwang said, "The first thing I did immediately after I was given the acting president position was to send an external message that South Korea was safe and stable." On the same day, during a vote in the National Assembly on the impeachment motion of President Yoon Seok-yeol, more than two-thirds of the 300 attending lawmakers, 204 members, voted in favor, thus passing the impeachment motion. With the passage of the National Assembly impeachment vote, Prime Minister Han Duk-soo will act on President Yoon's duties and authority.
Former Prime Minister Hwang said, "Following the external message, I instructed the military to 'stand their ground without a hint of shake.' Next, I issued a directive to economic ministries, particularly the Ministry of Strategy and Finance, to keep the economy steady."
When asked where he performed his duties during the impeachment crisis, he said, "I mainly worked in the office of the prime minister." He added, "I went to the President's office, then the Blue House, a couple of times to deliver credentials (agrements) to foreign ambassadors," adding, "I also carried out supporting roles for acting in the prime minister's secretariat. Necessary parts were handled in the President's office, but there was hardly anything to assist with there."
When asked whether the prime minister's office organization and space were insufficient to serve as acting president, he said, "I faced a situation where we were apologetic to the public due to the impeachment. In such a situation, I did not think it was appropriate to work comfortably in a large space," adding, "At that time, the distance between the prime minister's office (Government Seoul Complex) and the Blue House was not far, so it wasn't very inconvenient."
However, he elaborated, "Now, there is a physical distance between Yongsan and the prime minister's office. It may not be the same as before."
Regarding the role of the cabinet during the impeachment crisis, he said, "Back then, all cabinet members expressed their intention to resign following the impeachment. I also expressed my intent to resign," but added, "I couldn't just step down. I asked the cabinet members at that time to stay in their positions."
He continued, "At that time, Im Jong-ryong was scheduled to become deputy prime minister for the economy and Minister of the Ministry of Strategy and Finance, but it was difficult to replace the economic leader during the impeachment crisis." He added, "I persuaded Yoo Il-ho, deputy prime minister and Minister of the Ministry of Strategy and Finance, to maintain his position. The cabinet cooperated well. Thanks to that, I was able to complete my duties without significant issues."
Former Prime Minister Hwang said, "Currently, it is difficult to predict the development of the political situation." He likened it to "a stormy sea." He went on to say, "At times like these, civil servants must remain steadfast," and added, "In this situation, politics should cease infighting and focus on the struggling public."
He further remarked, "Thinking of this as an opportunity and pushing forward will ultimately destroy South Korea," stressing that "a state of emergency and cooperative governance are important. It should be politics focused on the people's livelihood."