Ruling and Opposition Parties Fail to Agree on Witnesses for Minseok Kim's Confirmation Hearing... Proceeding as Scheduled

Prime Minister Nominee Hearing Scheduled for June 24-25
Witness Requests Allowed Up to Five Days Before by Law
Both Parties Shift Blame for Failed Witness Selection

Prime Minister nominee Minseok Kim is moving to attend the "Listening Meeting for Establishing an AI Transformation (AX) Research Hub" held in Daegu on the 20th. Photo by Yonhap News

As the National Assembly Special Committee on Personnel Hearings failed to finalize the selection of witnesses and reference persons for Prime Minister nominee Minseok Kim on June 20, the hearing scheduled for June 24-25 is expected to proceed without any witnesses.

The ruling and opposition parties engaged in last-minute negotiations over the witness list until this day, but were unable to reach an agreement. After exchanging their initial lists on June 18, both parties continued a tense standoff for three days but ultimately failed to come to terms.

The People Power Party demanded the inclusion of individuals involved in financial transactions, such as Kang Shinsung, as witnesses to verify the process of Kim's asset formation and to investigate suspicions of illegal political funds. They also included Kim's ex-wife to verify the source of their son's overseas education funds.

In contrast, the Democratic Party opposed the selection of family members, such as the ex-wife, as witnesses, calling it "excessive political maneuvering." Additionally, the Democratic Party reportedly submitted a witness list that included opposition figures such as former President Yoon Suk Yeol, former Prime Minister Han Ducksoo and his spouse, and former Minister of Employment and Labor Kim Moonsoo.

During the negotiations, the People Power Party agreed to exclude the ex-wife but insisted on a list of five witnesses, including Kang. The Democratic Party accepted Kang but reportedly could not agree on the remaining four individuals.

Ultimately, both parties blamed each other for the failure to select witnesses. The Democratic Party claimed, "People Power Party secretary Bae Junyoung did not cooperate in the negotiations," while the People Power Party countered, "The Democratic Party refused to accept even the essential witness requests."

As a result, the hearing for nominee Kim will proceed without key witnesses, and the confrontation between the ruling and opposition parties is expected to continue on the main stage of the hearing. According to the Personnel Hearing Act, requests for witness attendance must be made at least five days before the hearing.