Democrats’ new leader asks Lee not to appoint Linton to lead Korean Red Cross

The leader of South Korea's ruling Democratic Party has requested President Lee Jae Myung not to appoint John Linton as the chairman of the Korean Red Cross, according to the party's spokesperson. Linton, a naturalized Korean citizen of American missionary descent, previously served as a lawmaker for the opposition People Power Party.

Democratic Party spokesperson Park Sung-joon revealed on Wednesday that newly elected party leader Kim Min-seok privately discussed this matter with President Lee following a banquet between party leadership and the president on Tuesday. Park explained that based on opinions gathered both within and outside the party, it would be advisable not to appoint Linton as chairman of the Korean Red Cross.

The public service ethics commission for former lawmakers had recently cleared Linton for the appointment, but the final approval rested with the president. Linton had already been elected as chairman by the Korean Red Cross's central committee in June. This decision has faced opposition from some Democrats and their supporters, who argue that Linton's past actions and statements, such as his boycott of a vote to impeach former President Yoon Suk-yeol after the December 2024 insurrection and his support for privatizing Korea's healthcare system, make him an unsuitable candidate. Questions or comments should be directed to english@hani.co.kr.