Park Chan-dae, the floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea and the chief campaign chair, said on the 19th, "All ministries should be instructed to freeze appointments before the new government takes office." With the early presidential election approaching, it is reported that the 'patronage appointments' of civil servants who had worked in the presidential office of the Yoon Suk-yeol government are being carried out. The Democratic Party believes that Jeong Jin-seok, the head of the presidential office, is leading this.

On the morning of the 19th, Park Chan-dae, the Standing Chair of the Democratic Party of Korea's Central Election Strategy Committee, speaks at the meeting held at the Democratic Party of Korea headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul. /Courtesy of News1

During a meeting of the central campaign committee held at the party's headquarters that morning, Park noted, "There have been reports that civil servants who worked in the presidential office are returning to their ministries while being promoted or assigned to key positions."

He continued, "Jeong Jin-seok is leading these appointments, and it is said that all civil servants dispatched to Yongsan will return before June 4th," adding, "In fact, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport has returned five employees who were dispatched to the presidential office, and all have been placed in key positions."

Park stated, "The appointments being made ahead of the presidential election are clear cases of patronage appointments and 'placement appointments.' Or are they trying to carry out 'gag appointments' targeting civil servants who know the secrets of the Dec. 3 coup?"

Park also claimed that the presidential office is conducting a document destruction operation. He said, "There are reports that instructions to destroy documents have been issued to each chief's office in the presidential office, and that all personal computers are being reset," adding, "If this continues, won't the new president take over an 'empty shell of a presidential office' with no materials or personnel when inaugurated?"

He then directed at Jeong, "Immediately disclose the facts. If true, this acts as a crime. Stop it right now." He also addressed Lee Joo-ho, the acting Prime Minister and Minister of Education, stating, "Appointments are being made in various ministries, including the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, and the Ministry of Industry," and insisted that "All ministries should be instructed to freeze appointments before the new government takes office."

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