Slips Of the Tongue Cost Him His Position

Kim An-je, chairman of the Committee on Administrative Capital Relocation, has turned in his resignation, and it is expected to be accepted soon.

Cheong Wa Dae spokesperson Kim Jong-min said during the briefing on August 24, “After the new capital site was finalized on August 11, Chairman Kim has turned in his resignation,” and added, “The resignation hasn’t been accepted yet, but a proper decision will be made on that matter.”

Kim had been head of the Administrative Capital Relocation Advisory Committee since last May, and as the Committee on Administrative Capital Relocation started on May 21 this year, he co-chaired the committee with the prime minister.

Kim’s few slips of the tongue that obviously worked against the government reportedly have cost him his post, which was supposed to be a three-year-term position, and forced him to leave only about three months after the appointment.

In one slip, Kim revealed his personal opinion on June 9 by saying, “According to the current plan, the administrative capital relocation is practically relocating the capital city, and it could have been better if we called a referendum,” causing a stir.

On June 16, he said, “The administrative capital relocation will possibly become a main issue again [in 2007] in the presidential election. Depending on the result of the election, the project plan might be changed significantly.”

Adding insult to injury, he delivered a final blow to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade during their training session, saying, ”If a war breaks out and a cease-fire is decided in Pyeongtaek, we will lose 50 percent of the population and 70 percent of the nation’s resources [if Seoul were still the capital].”

An official from Cheong Wa Dae commented, “The second mistake was forgivable, but the third mistake he made during a speech in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade couldn’t be overlooked. It is a sort of a case of three strikes and you are out.”

Kim, in the meantime, met reporters on August 24 and explained, “After presenting the finalized site, I thought one crucial moment passed and my role in the process should end here. I turned in my resignation by my own will.”

Kim’s successor has not been picked yet. However, it has been known that a person with practical knowledge is favored over a big name alternative.

Kwang-Hyun Kim Yong-Gwan Jung kkh@donga.com yongari@donga.com