Democratic Party: "Minister of Education Cannot Be Appointed Without Confirmation Hearing"
[Asia Economy Reporter Koo Chae-eun] Members of the Democratic Party's Education Minister Nominee Verification Task Force (TF) demanded explanations regarding the allegations against nominee Park Soon-ae on the 30th.
Eleven lawmakers, including Seo Dong-yong of the nominee verification TF, held a press conference at the National Assembly that morning, urging for clarification and stating, "Appointment is absolutely impossible without a personnel hearing verification." Lawmaker Seo criticized, "Nominee Park Soon-ae has a criminal record for drunk driving while intoxicated. Both conservatives and progressives have officially expressed opposition and concern, and parents are shouting that they cannot entrust their children to an Education Minister with a drunk driving record. However, President Yoon Seok-yeol alone says that 'various circumstances must be considered' regarding the nominee's drunk driving."
He added, "The Democratic Party's personnel verification TF members intend to thoroughly examine the nominee's qualifications together with the public," and "We demand accurate and honest answers so that the public can make a judgment."
The lawmakers also called for explanations regarding ▲the nominee and her eldest daughter's suspected false address registration ▲the eldest daughter's scholarship 'parental chance' allegations ▲the eldest daughter's work experience as a researcher unrelated to her major ▲the second son's 'parental chance' allegations ▲the nominee's mother's refusal to disclose assets ▲whether disciplinary action was taken at the time of the drunk driving incident ▲conflicts of interest in the public institution management evaluation team ▲and other controversies such as inflated research achievements, self-plagiarism allegations, and duplicate publications.
Lawmaker Kang Min-jung stated, "Too many allegations are pouring out even before the personnel hearing begins. If a formal hearing is held in the National Assembly, the legality of the nominee will be examined based on proper explanation procedures and materials," but also directly criticized, "More disqualifying reasons beyond what has already been revealed are bound to come to light." Lawmaker Park Chan-dae said, "I am already convinced that the nominee is disqualified based on various allegations," and criticized, "Nevertheless, President Yoon's request for resubmission of the personnel hearing report seems like a trick to avoid the nominee's failure in a situation where the National Assembly is not normalized, possibly because he himself thinks the nominee is inadequate and cannot handle the personnel hearing." He emphasized, "I think the nominee should be subject to withdrawal of nomination as all are inappropriate."
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