People Power Party: "Democratic Party Trying to Break the Hearing... Strongly Urge Witness Selection and Submission of Materials"

"It Seems They Intend to Treat the Hearing as a Mere Two-Day Formality"
"Democratic Party Responds to Only 7 Out of 97 Document Requests"

On June 19, the People Power Party questioned the Democratic Party of Korea, with whom they are clashing over the selection of witnesses for the confirmation hearing of Prime Minister nominee Kim Minseok, asking, "Are you trying to hold the hearing, or trying to break it apart?"

Bae Junyoung, the People Power Party's secretary on the Special Committee for the Prime Minister Confirmation Hearing, met with reporters at the National Assembly after a meeting titled "Countermeasures for the Personnel Hearing of the Corruption Department Store Lee Jaemyung Administration," and said, "It seems the Democratic Party intends to treat this hearing as a mere formality over two days," making the above remarks.

Yonhap News

Bae stated, "The Democratic Party and the nominee's side are passive about selecting witnesses and are showing behavior aimed at neutralizing the hearing itself," and emphasized, "We will respond firmly and strongly urge the selection of witnesses and the submission of materials."

He also addressed the possibility of the hearing being held without witnesses or references if no agreement is reached, saying, "Every Prime Minister confirmation hearing has had 10 to 20 witnesses, and sometimes as many as 30. The Democratic Party is suggesting a vote, but if we vote, they will end up picking only the people they want, coordinating their testimonies. Is it right to agree to that?"

Bae further explained, "If only the objective facts are revealed, we do not need to call a single witness. But since materials are not being properly submitted and there are no answers at all, we are saying we should call them in directly to speak."

Kim Heejung, a People Power Party member of the Special Committee for the Confirmation Hearing, criticized, "We requested the submission of 97 documents, but only received responses for 7. Of those 7, 5 said the requested documents do not exist," adding, "This shows a complete lack of willingness to cooperate."