Jeong Chungrae Says "Kim Minseok, Do Well as Prime Minister... People Power Party Gave Up on Hearing Themselves"

Plenary Vote Expected on the 30th
Democratic Party May Push Through Appointment Alone

Jeong Chungrae, Democratic Party of Korea member. Photo by Joint Press Corps

The National Assembly confirmation hearing for Prime Minister nominee Kim Minseok ended in turmoil due to a direct confrontation between the ruling and opposition parties. Amid this situation, Jeong Chungrae, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, stated that Kim had "practically passed" and wished him success as Prime Minister.

On June 26, Jeong Chungrae posted on his Facebook page, "Was it Kim Minseok's hearing, or was it Joo Jinwoo's (People Power Party lawmaker) hearing?" He continued, "Only Bae Junyoung's (People Power Party lawmaker) controversial remarks about the Gwangju Uprising were highlighted, and the People Power Party failed to deliver any significant blow," adding, "They effectively gave up on the hearing themselves."

Jeong also wrote, "Congratulations to Kim Minseok for passing the Prime Minister confirmation hearing," and added, "Now, only the plenary vote remains. I wish you success as Prime Minister."

On the second day of Kim Minseok's confirmation hearing, the ruling and opposition parties clashed over the submission of documents. Members of the People Power Party's Special Committee on Personnel Hearings requested a recess around 4 p.m. The committee announced that the hearing would resume at 8:30 p.m. that day, but the People Power Party members did not attend, stating, "We will participate once the documents are provided."

They further stated, "We ask for your cooperation in submitting the necessary documents as soon as possible so that the hearing can resume, even if it is tomorrow."

In contrast, Democratic Party members argued, "The People Power Party repeatedly called for recesses and resumptions during the hearing, disrupting the legislative activities of ruling party lawmakers and the public's right to know," dismissing the idea of "extending the hearing" as "meaningless."

As a result, it has become increasingly likely that the committee will fail to adopt a review report on the hearing. The Democratic Party is therefore expected to push ahead with a vote on the Prime Minister appointment motion at the National Assembly plenary session on June 30. The requirements for passing the appointment motion are "a majority of all sitting lawmakers present, and a majority of those present voting in favor." Since the Democratic Party holds 167 seats, it is possible for the party to pass the motion on its own initiative.