Dispute Erupts Early Over Incomplete Document Submission
People Power Party: "No Consent for Personal Information" vs. Democratic Party: "Following Regulations"
Kim Minseok: "Cooperation Between Ruling and Opposition Parties Needed to Put Korea on a Stable Track"
From the very first day of the confirmation hearing for Prime Minister nominee Kim Minseok, the ruling and opposition parties clashed over issues such as incomplete submission of documents. The People Power Party argued that additional consent for the provision of personal information and further document submissions were necessary to clearly address suspicions surrounding Kim. However, Kim and the Democratic Party of Korea countered that they had submitted documents in accordance with established regulations and principles.
The National Assembly's Special Committee on Confirmation Hearings held a hearing for Kim at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on the morning of June 24. This two-day hearing is being conducted for the first time in history without witnesses or reference persons, as the ruling and opposition parties failed to reach an agreement.
Bae Junyoung, the People Power Party's secretary on the special committee, stated, "A confirmation hearing is supposed to be a meeting for questions and answers, but the nominee has turned it into a 'don't ask' hearing," adding, "This is because the nominee did not properly obtain consent for the provision of personal information from himself and those around him."
In response, Kim said, "Regarding the documents, I acted entirely in accordance with the same regulations and principles as previous confirmation hearings, which dictate that documents are not submitted or consent is not given in cases of excessive invasion of privacy or when the documents do not exist." Kim Hyun, the Democratic Party's secretary on the special committee, also stated, "It is not wrong for a confirmation hearing to verify the nominee's morality, qualifications, and policies without witnesses or reference persons," and added, "Please refrain from damaging the nominee's reputation or treating him as a criminal during the hearing process."
The two parties also clashed over suspicions surrounding Kim. Joo Jinwoo, a People Power Party lawmaker, requested, "Please ask the nominee to provide remittance records for his child's overseas study expenses, at the very least," emphasizing, "This information has nothing to do with privacy." Democratic Party lawmakers countered that such requests amounted to "human rights violations." Chae Hyunil, a Democratic Party lawmaker, criticized, "There are limits and boundaries to document requests," and added, "Looking at the list of documents requested by People Power Party lawmakers, there are items such as the nominee's child's academic transcripts that are completely unrelated to the hearing. Why are these necessary?"
Allegations regarding Kim's increase in assets were also a focus of the confirmation hearing. Kim reported that his assets increased from minus 577 million won in 2019 to 215 million won in 2025. During this period, he spent 620 million won on fines, 200 million won on donations, 230 million won on living expenses, 50 million won on rent, and 200 million won on his child's overseas study expenses, yet there is criticism that he has not provided a clear explanation for how his assets increased. Kim explained that he had income from lectures and a publication event, but doubts remain regarding the specific details.
The People Power Party plans to thoroughly scrutinize allegations of violations of the Political Funds Act and preferential treatment for Kim's child during the confirmation hearing, and has indicated it is prepared to boycott the proceedings if necessary. However, the Democratic Party appears poised to push ahead with Kim's confirmation even if the People Power Party continues to oppose.
Meanwhile, in his opening statement at the confirmation hearing, Kim said, "It is a regrettable situation that the government continues to operate solely through the president's strenuous efforts, even though a new prime minister and ministers have not yet been appointed," and added, "For a government that started from scratch without a transition team to quickly put Korea on a stable track, cooperation from the political community, including both the ruling and opposition parties, is absolutely necessary."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
