Hong Ik-pyo: "Yoon Must Acknowledge Personnel Disaster... Kim Haeng, Shin Won-sik, Yoo In-chon Lack Qualifications"

Democratic Party Floor Leader Hong Ik-pyo is holding a Chuseok public sentiment press briefing at the National Assembly on the afternoon of the 3rd. From the left, Floor Spokesperson Choi Hye-young, Senior Deputy Floor Leader for Operations Park Ju-min, Floor Leader Hong, Senior Deputy Floor Leader for Policy Yoo Dong-su, Floor Spokesperson Yoon Young-duk.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Hong Ik-pyo, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, criticized the nominees Lee Gyun-yong for Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Kim Haeng for the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, Shin Won-sik for the Ministry of National Defense, and Yoo In-chon for the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism on the 3rd, calling them lacking in qualifications, and urged President Yoon Seok-yeol to acknowledge the personnel disaster.

At a press briefing held at the National Assembly that day, Floor Leader Hong told President Yoon, "Admit the personnel disaster and make reasonable and common-sense appointments that meet the expectations of the people," and said, "Withdraw the appointments of these nominees, including Lee Gyun-yong, Kim Haeng of Gender Equality and Family, Shin Won-sik of National Defense, and Yoo In-chon of Culture, Sports and Tourism, whose morality and qualifications as public officials are severely lacking."

Floor Leader Hong also appeared on CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show' that day and commented on the upcoming vote on the appointment of nominee Lee Gyun-yong scheduled for the plenary session of the National Assembly on the 6th, saying, "If the nominee is deemed inappropriate based on the results of the confirmation hearing, it is right to reject the appointment."

Regarding concerns that rejecting the appointment of nominee Lee could lead to a prolonged vacancy of the Chief Justice position and cause backlash, he said, "I am more worried about the judicial panic caused by an inappropriate person taking office than the confusion caused by the vacancy of the Chief Justice."

On whether to propose an impeachment motion against Minister of Justice Han Dong-hoon, he explained, "We plan to make a decision after the National Assembly audit." The Democratic Party has been demanding the dismissal of Minister Han since the arrest warrant for party leader Lee Jae-myung was dismissed on the 27th of last month, claiming that the prosecution's investigation is a form of opposition party suppression.

Regarding the disciplinary action against non-Lee Jae-myung faction (Bi-myeong) lawmakers suspected of voting in favor of the arrest motion against Leader Lee during the vote, Floor Leader Hong said, "The Ethics Tribunal should handle it according to principles and standards."

He also addressed the Bi-myeong faction lawmakers calling for Leader Lee's resignation and the hardline party members who have been sending 'text bomb' messages to them, saying, "There are many inappropriate cases," and emphasized, "We will do our best to establish discipline and order that allow for normal criticism and expression of opinions."

Meanwhile, Floor Leader Hong announced plans to process the consent motion to designate the 'Special Prosecutor Law for the Investigation of the Death of Marine Sergeant Chae Mo' as a fast-track agenda at the plenary session on the 6th.