Prime minister nominee vows to do all he can if confirmed

김병준 "경제 사회정책 전반에 걸쳐 총리 지휘권 행사"

And as President Park Geun-hye is set to break her silence after her first apology,... her choice for Prime Minister has spoken about his role in this time of crisis.
Kim Byung-joon also dropped the bombshell that an investigation into the president is possible.
Connie Kim reports.

Prime minister nominee Kim Byung-joon said that he will do everything he can to fulfill the duties of the position should he become the country's next prime minister.
At a press conference on Thursday,... Kim confirmed speculation that the prime minister's role for the remainder of the Park Geun-hye administration will be the most expansive of any other administration in the nation's modern history.

"The role of the prime minister as stated in the Constitution is simple. The prime minister governs based on the orders of the president and controls state affairs. In addition, the prime minister will have the right to recommend and dismiss government officials... and much more."

Kim, who was a policymaker under the liberal Roh Moo-hyun administration,... also said he will have authority over both social and economic policy.
He also said he would seek to establish an open channel of communication in agreement with the political parties,... and added he would consult with the parliament and the ruling and opposition parties... on all issues, including a Cabinet reshuffle.
The statement appeared to be an attempt to ease the growing anger about the president's latest staff shakeup,... which came in response to a growing political scandal involving her longtime confidante.
Kim also said he is open to the possibility of an investigation into the president in the wake of the scandal.

"All South Koreans including the president are equal under the law. I believe we could conduct an investigation into President Park. But we should be prudent about the investigation process as she is still the head of state.

President Park's longtime confidante is accused of abuses of power and embezzlement... and the scandal has drawn widespread public outrage.

"If Kim is confirmed as the country's next prime minister, he is expected to take full control of domestic affairs,.... but the prime minister nominee's first task will be to persuade the opposition parties to change their stated vow to boycott his confirmation hearing and work with him to govern the country.
Connie Kim, Arirang News."

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