Clash Over Inadequate Submission of Materials Early in Hearings
Opposition: "Witnesses and Documents Not Properly Provided... Deeply Regrettable"
Ruling Party: "Consistent Slander and Personal Attacks... Disappointing"
On the second day of confirmation hearings for ministerial nominees to be included in the first cabinet of the Lee Jaemyung administration, a tense standoff continued between the ruling and opposition parties in the National Assembly. The People Power Party focused on raising issues regarding the nominees' morality, while the Democratic Party of Korea objected to what it described as slander and personal attacks, stepping in to defend the nominees.
Yoon Hanhong, Chairman of the Political Affairs Committee from the People Power Party, is approving the agenda for the personnel hearing plan regarding Kwon Oeul, nominee for Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, at the full meeting of the Political Affairs Committee in the National Assembly on the 3rd. Photo by Yonhap News
Kim Byungki, acting leader and floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, said during a party strategy meeting on the 15th, "On the first day of the confirmation hearings yesterday, the People Power Party resorted to slander, personal attacks, and opposition for the sake of opposition. It is regrettable and disappointing," adding, "I am even beginning to question the current confirmation hearing system, wondering how the goal of these hearings could be about how many nominees are forced to withdraw."
On this day, the National Assembly continued confirmation hearings for Kwon Oeul, nominee for Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs; Hansung Sook, nominee for Minister of SMEs and Startups; Kim Sunghwan, nominee for Minister of Environment; Ahn Kyubaek, nominee for Minister of National Defense; and Lim Gwanghyun, nominee for Commissioner of the National Tax Service. The hearing for Kwon Oeul, conducted by the Political Affairs Committee, began with criticism over insufficient submission of documents and the absence of witnesses.
Kang Min guk, a member of the People Power Party, criticized, "Nominee Kwon has refused to provide virtually all requested materials related to his family, stating his objection to the provision of personal information, effectively blocking the submission of any information." Yoo Youngha, also from the People Power Party, raised an issue by referring to the absence statement submitted by Kim Hanjin, CEO of AMP Corporation, who was requested as a witness for Kwon's hearing on the 3rd.
At the confirmation hearing for Hansung Sook, nominee for Minister of SMEs and Startups, held by the Industry, Trade, Energy, Small and Medium Enterprises and Startups Committee, heated exchanges continued between the ruling and opposition parties. Park Sungmin, the People Power Party secretary of the committee, pointed out, "It is very regrettable that necessary witnesses were not called and requested documents were not properly submitted for the hearing," adding, "The committee requested 1,966 documents from 56 institutions, but only 729 were submitted."
In response, Democratic Party secretary Kim Wonyi countered by saying, "These are witness and document requests unrelated to the confirmation hearing," which led to Park raising his voice in protest. The opposition party plans to focus on allegations of irregular gifting of an apartment in Jamsil by nominee Han's mother and workplace harassment incidents that occurred during Han's tenure as CEO of Naver.
Hansung Sook, nominee for Minister of SMEs and Startups, is answering questions from lawmakers at the confirmation hearing held at the Industry, Trade, Energy, Small and Medium Enterprises and Startups Committee plenary session in Yeouido, Seoul on the 15th. Photo by Yonhap News
On the morning of the same day, the National Defense Committee of the National Assembly held a confirmation hearing for Ahn Kyubaek, nominee for Minister of National Defense. If confirmed, Ahn would become the first civilian Minister of National Defense in 64 years since Hyun Seokho, who served during the Second Republic. Ahn stated, "What we must do now is to ensure strict accountability regarding the illegal 12·3 Emergency Martial Law, correct the wrongdoings of the previous administration, and thereby strengthen civilian control to prevent our military from becoming a private tool of power and to rebuild a military that serves the people."
The People Power Party maintains its position that nominees such as Kwon Oeul, whom the opposition labeled as part of the 'unqualified five evils' the previous day, must inevitably step down. Song Eonseok, acting emergency committee chairman and floor leader, raised real estate allegations against Kwon during a party strategy meeting at the National Assembly that morning. However, there are also criticisms that the confirmation hearings have yet to produce a decisive blow, as most of the issues raised so far have been repeated allegations or mere attempts to tarnish reputations.
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