On the 9th, the confirmation hearing for Hwang Hee, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism nominee, held at the National Assembly
Hwang Hee, nominee for Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, is delivering opening remarks at the confirmation hearing held at the National Assembly on the 9th. Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@
[Asia Economy Reporter Kum Bo-ryeong] Hwang Hee, the nominee for Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, has actively explained the expenses for his spouse and daughter's overseas study.
At the confirmation hearing held at the National Assembly on the 9th, nominee Hwang stated, "I promised to send 2.5 to 3.5 million won per month unconditionally, and my spouse's elder sister lived right next door, and my younger sibling also lived nearby," adding, "I think we received a lot of help in various ways."
Kim Ye-ji, a member of the People Power Party, claimed, "Upon checking the details of the overseas study expenses for nominee Hwang's spouse and children, it was found that between 27 million and 50 million won per year was spent. Although it was answered that the money was deposited in a Citibank domestic account and withdrawn abroad, the foreign exchange transaction records submitted by the Bank of Korea did not show such transactions."
The opposition also mentioned 'irregular early overseas study' for the children. Initially, it was said that nominee Hwang's spouse went abroad for further education and took the children along, but there are suspicions that the spouse might have used irregular means to go abroad for the children's education instead.
Regarding this controversy, nominee Hwang said, "My wife went to the U.S. on a student visa (F1) and auditioned for New York University's TC School and Boston Smith College but was rejected," adding, "My daughter attended a public school in Arlington for children from low-income families. If early overseas study for my daughter had been the purpose, I would not have sent her there."
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