"Presidential Controversial Remarks Dispute" ... Welfare Minister Nominee's Confirmation Hearing Fails to Start

Health and Welfare Minister nominee Cho Kyu-hong attended the confirmation hearing held at the National Assembly on the 27th and reviewed materials before the hearing began. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] The confirmation hearing for Cho Kyu-hong, the nominee for Minister of Health and Welfare, is facing disruption due to controversy over inappropriate remarks made by President Yoon Seok-yeol during his visit to the United States.

On the morning of the 27th, before the confirmation hearing for Cho at the National Assembly's Health and Welfare Committee, opposition party lawmakers demanded a public apology from President Yoon for his 'this XX' remark, accountability for those responsible, and an end to media suppression through procedural statements.

Kang Hoon-sik, the opposition party whip of the Health and Welfare Committee from the Democratic Party of Korea, said, "I question whether we should proceed with the confirmation hearing without an apology for President Yoon’s 'XX' remark directed at the Democratic Party," adding, "It is difficult to hold the confirmation hearing without a solemn apology from the president."

Justice Party lawmaker Kang Eun-mi also supported this, stating, "President Yoon’s abusive language insulted not only the Democratic Party but all members of the National Assembly who represent the people," and added, "He must immediately apologize not only to the lawmakers but also to the public."

Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Won-i said, "This is a session to verify the qualifications and capabilities of the Minister of Health and Welfare nominee, but the current situation is truly difficult. The president has directly caused the greatest diplomatic fiasco in the history of the Republic of Korea," and questioned, "Isn’t it necessary to seek understanding from the public and the opposition through a sincere apology, reflection, and a promise to prevent recurrence?"

Fellow party member Shin Hyun-young said, "Kim Eun-hye, the chief of public relations, admitted the abusive 'this XX' remark, but later, the presidential office spokesperson offered a different explanation citing voice analysis, causing public confusion and distrust," adding, "The public is not foolish. People from the People Power Party should stop efforts to make President Yoon look like the emperor with no clothes." In particular, Shin likened President Yoon to "the emperor with no clothes," saying, "All citizens who have heard the audio file of President Yoon’s remarks know the truth."

In response, ruling party lawmakers sought to manage the situation by emphasizing the need to fill the vacant Minister of Health and Welfare position through the confirmation hearing, separate from the president’s private remarks.

Kang Ki-yoon of the People Power Party said, "I partly agree with the opposition lawmakers’ criticisms," but countered, "The public has suffered due to the vacancy of the Minister of Health and Welfare for five months, so the minister must be appointed as soon as possible through the confirmation hearing." He added, "It is inappropriate to describe the president as the emperor with no clothes. The leak of the president’s private remarks does not benefit national interests. Once the truth of the remarks is clarified, the president will have an opportunity to explain in detail."

Lee Jong-sung, also from the People Power Party, said, "If such words were indeed used, it is concerning and the presidential office should take appropriate measures, but it has not been confirmed," and argued, "Since the presidential office has said it will verify the facts and announce the results, is it necessary to distort this and escalate the situation, giving the impression of inciting the public?"

As the ruling and opposition parties continued their dispute over President Yoon’s remarks controversy, Chairwoman Jung Chun-sook of the Health and Welfare Committee declared a recess around 11 a.m., about 35 minutes after the meeting began, and the session has not resumed for nearly an hour.