It was more saddening than angering to see President Lee Myung-bak go ahead with his earlier decision to appoint one of the least suitable people possible as chairman of the National Human Rights Commission chairman. Which was it that was at work ― Lee’s foibles or tantrums?

Persons of integrity with a track record of promoting human rights are eligible for the coveted post. But Lee’s choice was far from known for his integrity or human rights promotion. Instead, his career has been tainted by allegations and his performance during the past three years as commission chairman left much to be desired.

On Monday, President Lee reappointed to the post Hyun Byung-chul, who was accused, among others, of cutting the power supply to a room where physically disabled people were staging a sit-in protest.

In doing so, Lee ignored opposition from the National Assembly, which had snubbed him as well as Hyun by refusing to endorse his appointment, and nongovernmental organizations, which had denounced Hyun for going against human rights promotion.

The presidential office came up with a lame excuse. “Some of the suspicions raised against him were found to be groundless,” said a presidential spokesman. “He (President Lee) appointed him in the belief that other suspicions would not greatly hamper him in performing his task.”

The reappointment put the ruling Saenuri Party in an awkward position. In its official comment, the party, which had previously opposed Lee’s decision, said, “We regret it. But we expect Hyun will dissolve critical public opinion against him by devoting himself to the promotion of human rights.”

During a National Assembly hearing on Lee’s decision last month, Hyun, a former university professor of law, was denounced for committing plagiarism and speculating in property as well as failing to promote human rights. No wonder the Saenuri Party and the main opposition Democratic United Party decided not to adopt a post-hearing report on Lee’s decision, putting pressure on the president to select a new candidate for the top human rights post.

It was an enigma why Lee held onto Hyun when he could have made a selection from among a pool of so many more qualified people. Now he should be reminded that Hyun was dead on reappointment, with nine in 10 staff of the commission rejecting him as their boss. Few would expect the commission to perform its duties properly under Hyun’s leadership.