"Choosing Welfare Experts Who Have Expressed Interest in Welfare Policies"
"No Unexplained Practices in Lack of Regional and Gender Balance... Somewhat Regrettable"
Oh Se-hoon, the People Power Party candidate for Seoul mayor, is delivering opening remarks at the Kwanhun Debate held at the Press Center in Jung-gu, Seoul, on the 17th. Photo by the National Assembly Press Photographers Group
[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Jung-wan] Oh Se-hoon, the People Power Party candidate for Seoul mayor, commented on the controversy surrounding Jeong Ho-young, the nominee for Minister of Health and Welfare, regarding his child's medical school transfer admission through a so-called "dad's chance," saying, "If it were me, I would not have chosen that person."
On the 17th, at the Kwanhoon Debate hosted for mayoral candidates held at the Press Center in Jung-gu, Seoul, Oh responded to the question, "If you had made the cabinet appointments for the new government, would you have chosen nominee Jeong?" with this statement.
Regarding the "dad's chance" controversy involving nominee Jeong's child, Oh said, "Judging by the life that person has lived, I get a similar feeling to the public opinion." He added, "I think it is still too early to judge the first cabinet appointments of the Yoon Seok-yeol administration," but also said, "However, I have a different view regarding Jeong Ho-young, the nominee for Minister of Health and Welfare."
He stated, "If it were me appointing a Minister of Health and Welfare, I would have chosen a welfare expert with a well-organized policy who has shown great passion for welfare and expressed much interest in policies that consider low-income and vulnerable groups," adding, "I am not sure where nominee Jeong usually focuses his interest or whether he is prepared policy-wise."
He continued, "There are cases where someone who has been a doctor comes to serve as Minister of Health and Welfare, but I recall that it was difficult for them to demonstrate expertise in welfare," and added, "However, I understand the President has a personal connection with him, so maybe he saw a passion that I do not know about."
Regarding Han Dong-hoon, the nominee for Minister of Justice, Oh said, "I personally liked him after seeing his recent wording in the media," and added, "In performing the role of Minister of Justice, he said, 'As long as you catch the bad guys well,' regardless of political faction, in accordance with law and common sense. I felt he has the ability to convey the essence of his work to the public in such simple language, and I sensed sincerity, which raised my expectations."
When asked to evaluate the new government's regional and gender balancing, he replied, "Such balancing is customary, but there is no custom without reason," and said, "From that perspective, it is somewhat regrettable."
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