People Power Party: "Kim Minseok Must Apologize and Step Down Voluntarily"
Clashes Between Ruling and Opposition Parties Inevitable at Confirmation Hearing on June 24-25
Scrutiny Over Political Funds, Alleged Preferential Treatment for Children, and National Security Views
Tensions are rising in Yeouido's political circles as the National Assembly confirmation hearing for Prime Minister nominee Kim Minseok is just one day away. On June 22, the meeting between President Lee Jaemyung and the leadership of both ruling and opposition parties also highlighted this issue as one of the main points of contention, but ended with only differences of opinion being exposed. Fierce clashes between the parties are expected at the National Assembly confirmation hearing scheduled for June 24 and 25. The People Power Party has declared that it will stake everything on blocking Kim’s appointment. Meanwhile, the Democratic Party of Korea appears poised to actively defend Kim and, if necessary, push through the confirmation motion on its own.
Both parties have signaled a fierce battle at Kim’s confirmation hearing on June 23. Kim Byungki, acting leader and floor leader of the Democratic Party, stated at the Supreme Council meeting that morning, "We once again urge the People Power Party: there is no time to waste on blind partisan tactics and obstruction. Please cooperate in approving Kim’s nomination for the greater good." The Democratic Party maintains that, amid growing domestic and international uncertainty due to the recent Middle East conflict and rising prices, it is imperative that a prime minister capable of leading the response be confirmed as soon as possible.
In contrast, the People Power Party plans to highlight Kim's disqualifications during the hearing. Although there were initially calls within the party to boycott the hearing altogether, it has ultimately decided to participate.
On the morning of June 23, People Power Party members of the special confirmation hearing committee held a press conference, stating, "We urge the nominee to apologize to the public and withdraw voluntarily," adding, "If Kim is appointed as prime minister, he will become a symbol of this administration’s 'unfairness' and 'inequality of opportunity,' as well as the starting point of a 'fake' Republic of Korea."
The main allegations against Kim can be summarized as illegal political funds, his degree from Tsinghua University in China, and his views on national security. The People Power Party claims that Kim is unfit to serve as prime minister, citing suspicions that he received illegal political funds totaling over 100 million won from 11 acquaintances, and that his thesis at Tsinghua University referred to North Korean defectors as "bandoja," meaning "traitors who fled."
Song Eonseok, floor leader of the People Power Party, told reporters after a luncheon meeting with President Lee the previous day, "Even the currently raised allegations?such as using his father’s connections, receiving sponsorship disguised as debt, and suspicions about his Tsinghua University degree being a gift?are already sufficient grounds for disqualification."
Meanwhile, Kim’s confirmation hearing is expected to be the first since the enactment of the Confirmation Hearing Act in June 2000 to proceed without any witnesses or reference persons. The People Power Party requested five witnesses, including Kim’s political sponsors, but stated that both the Democratic Party and the nominee refused. The Democratic Party, in turn, proposed President Yoon Sukyeol and his wife as witnesses, arguing that the opposition's witness requests were inappropriate.
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