South Korea has a new Minister of Unification (MOU), or soon will have. President Park Geun-hye, whose ratings have fallen to 29 percent this year, carried out a mini-reshuffle last week.

Picking personnel isn’t Park’s strong suit. Last year she failed to replace her prime minister, after two nominees withdrew rather than confront challenges about their ethics or suitability.

She succeeded this time, but at a price. On February 15 the National Assembly confirmed Lee Wan-koo, former floor leader of Park’s ruling conservative Saenuri Party, as the new premier despite a host of ethical doubts. Lee was even recorded bragging