CHOSUN ILBO

Foreign Minister Sacked Days After Anti-Chinese Statement; Governing Coalition Unsteady

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(SEOUL) - Foreign Minister Chung Eui-yong, who previously made news for his strongly worded condemnation of "the genocide in Xinjiang" and support of the KCU-led coalition, was sacked by Premier Moon Jae-in late last night via letter.

The letter, posted by Eui-yong to Twitter, made no mention of Eui-yong's comments. However, Koreans easily read between the lines, and this morning the phrase Chinese Puppet, 암캐 만든 (Bitch Made in Korean), and other unflattering terms trended on Chinese twitter.

Eui-yong has been replaced by Kang Kyung-wha, former long-term Foreign Minister to Moon Jae-in during his tenure as President of the former-Republic of Korea. Kyung-wha's appointment has largely been uncontroversial given her considerable resume, though she has deftly avoided questions on China.

While Eui-yong has been transformed into a major political player within the Democratic Party overnight, his removal from his Ministerial position is complete. However, combined with political repercussions for passing the Northern Economic Opportunity Act, deemed as a pro-Kim family move, Premier Moon Jae-in's governing coalition looks close to cracking. The 20 military independents, informally led by Admiral Boo Suk-jong, are reported to be "close to withdrawing support" for the move, and right-leaning parties within government have already experienced trouble reining in their members.

Due to tensions between the right-wing opposition parties of the GNRP and the LPK and the centre-right governing coalition allies of the PPP and the PP, it's unlikely that a right-wing government coalition will be initiated. What is looking increasingly likely, however, is that Premier Moon Jae-in may have to govern for the next year in a minority government faced by a hostile yet disunified opposition.