Choi Hwi-young, in response to criticism of the head of the affiliated organization's gratitude, "insult... judgment of expertise and competency"

Choi Hwi-young, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, responded to criticism that the appointment of heads of some organizations under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism was a 'thank you', and stated that the appointments were made based on expertise and capabilities.

At the comprehensive audit of the Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee held at the National Assembly on the 23rd, Minister Choi responded to People Power Party lawmaker Kim Seok-gi's point that "there are criticisms that the heads of some organizations under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism have been reciprocated," saying, "The appointment was made after sufficient judgment based on expertise and competency."

Minister Choi also expressed his position that such criticism of the personnel service was an insult to the heads of the relevant organizations and an insult to himself as the appointing authority.

He said, “Evaluating people like that is not only an insult to them, but it is also an insult to me. How can you belittle and humiliate a person like that?”

Minister Choi also responded to the point that even within the culture and arts community are opposed to the appointment of heads of some organizations, he said, "This is an argument by some," and said it was unconvincing for the heads of those organizations to take issue just because they support President Lee Jae-myung.

He asked, "I don't know why it's a problem that among the people I appointed after judging their expertise and capabilities, there is a person who supported President Lee Jae-myung during the presidential election," and added, "Almost half of the people supported (President Lee Jae-myung), so why shouldn't they hold public office even though they have expertise and capabilities?"

He continued, “If the political tendencies of those appointed are too one-sided, there may of course be criticism, but I cannot understand why they continue to claim that they are appointments made only by a few people,” and added, “I hope you will judge based on the performance of how these people lead the organization and how they are evaluated.”

In response to People Power Party lawmaker Cho Eun-hee's point that 'selection criteria and evaluation records for each institution must be mandated and a public verification system must be established,' Minister Choi said, "(The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism) is making personnel appointments in accordance with the law and the Articles of Incorporation," and added, "It is not understandable that they are blaming them for making a mistake in making personnel appointments in accordance with the system."