ID :
29253
Sun, 11/09/2008 - 11:06
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/29253
The shortlink copeid
PM apologizes for `improper` remark by finance minister
By Yoo Cheong-mo
SEOUL, Nov. 9 (Yonhap) -- Prime Minister Han Seung-soo on Sunday apologized to the nation for a controversial remark made last week by his embattled finance minister, Kang Man-soo, about a pending Constitutional Court ruling on a key government tax policy.
The Constitutional Court is scheduled to rule on the constitutionality of a tax
imposed on owners of high-end homes on Nov. 13, following the government's recent
decision to abolish the tax.
Minister Kang, who has spearheaded the abolition of the so-called "wealth tax,"
said at a parliamentary session Thursday that he had already discussed the
constitutionality of the tax with the Constitutional Court, triggering a heated
dispute. Some have alleged the government is attempting to intervene in the top
court's ruling.
Kang, a long-time friend and economic adviser to President Lee Myung-bak, has
already been under pressure to quit over what opposition parties and investors
claim is a string of inconsistent policies and misguided remedies aimed at
addressing instability in the currency market.
"Minister Kang's remark on the Constitutional Court was very improper. I feel
deeply sorry to the entire nation for his misstatement particularly in these
difficult economic times," Prime Minister Han said in a SBS TV talk show on
Sunday morning.
"The truth behind Kang's remark will be revealed through a parliamentary
fact-finding effort. As a prime minister, I have to share the criticism against
the minister. I myself feel deeply responsible for that," said Han.
Aides to President Lee have said the president has no intention to replace the
finance minister for the time being, particularly amid the unfolding worldwide
economic crisis.
Asked to forecast South Korea-U.S. relations under the Barack Obama
administration, meanwhile, the prime minister said the outlook is very bright.
"President-elect Obama has a deep understanding of Asia, as well as Korea. I
expect South Korea-U.S. relations would further improve during the Obama
presidency," he said.
ycm@yna.co.kr
(END)
SEOUL, Nov. 9 (Yonhap) -- Prime Minister Han Seung-soo on Sunday apologized to the nation for a controversial remark made last week by his embattled finance minister, Kang Man-soo, about a pending Constitutional Court ruling on a key government tax policy.
The Constitutional Court is scheduled to rule on the constitutionality of a tax
imposed on owners of high-end homes on Nov. 13, following the government's recent
decision to abolish the tax.
Minister Kang, who has spearheaded the abolition of the so-called "wealth tax,"
said at a parliamentary session Thursday that he had already discussed the
constitutionality of the tax with the Constitutional Court, triggering a heated
dispute. Some have alleged the government is attempting to intervene in the top
court's ruling.
Kang, a long-time friend and economic adviser to President Lee Myung-bak, has
already been under pressure to quit over what opposition parties and investors
claim is a string of inconsistent policies and misguided remedies aimed at
addressing instability in the currency market.
"Minister Kang's remark on the Constitutional Court was very improper. I feel
deeply sorry to the entire nation for his misstatement particularly in these
difficult economic times," Prime Minister Han said in a SBS TV talk show on
Sunday morning.
"The truth behind Kang's remark will be revealed through a parliamentary
fact-finding effort. As a prime minister, I have to share the criticism against
the minister. I myself feel deeply responsible for that," said Han.
Aides to President Lee have said the president has no intention to replace the
finance minister for the time being, particularly amid the unfolding worldwide
economic crisis.
Asked to forecast South Korea-U.S. relations under the Barack Obama
administration, meanwhile, the prime minister said the outlook is very bright.
"President-elect Obama has a deep understanding of Asia, as well as Korea. I
expect South Korea-U.S. relations would further improve during the Obama
presidency," he said.
ycm@yna.co.kr
(END)
