Song Eonseok Calls for Meeting with President Lee to Discuss Fate of 'Six Unqualified Figures'

"Ministerial Confirmation Hearings Filled with Candidates Riddled with Suspicions and Issues"
"Kim Younghoon Disqualified from High Public Office Due to Five Criminal Convictions"

Song Eonseok, the interim leader and floor leader of the People Power Party, stated on July 17, "I am requesting a meeting with President Lee Jaemyung to discuss improvements to the personnel verification system, including the future of the so-called 'six unqualified figures.'"

At the emergency countermeasures committee meeting held at the National Assembly that day, Song said, "I hope the presidential office will immediately respond to the main opposition leader's proposal for a meeting with the president," making this statement.

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He said, "After reviewing the ministerial confirmation hearings as a whole, it is clear that the candidates are riddled with issues and suspicions such as abuse of power, plagiarism, real estate speculation, drunk driving, and controversies over who is the main enemy. Some are raising suspicions that President Lee is using Kang Sunwoo and Lee Jinsook as scapegoats to divert attention from other problematic candidates."

He continued, "The personnel verification system of the Lee Jaemyung administration has completely collapsed," and argued, "It seems that the top criteria for personnel verification are not morality and competence, but loyalty and reward." He added, "There are widespread rumors that President Lee's closest aides are submitting recommendations without any vetting."

Song further stated, "Ultimately, the cause is the arbitrariness and arrogance of absolute power," and criticized, "Even after recommending such appointments, the flattery around the president about his high standards is only blocking his eyes and ears."

Regarding Kim Younghoon, the nominee for Minister of Employment and Labor, Song criticized, "He has five criminal convictions, including drunk driving and violent offenses, which alone disqualify him from high public office." He then pressed Kim, "Other than North Korea, who do you claim is endangering the Republic of Korea? Is it the United States or Japan? Answer the question." The previous day, during a confirmation hearing at the National Assembly's Environment and Labor Committee, Kim had responded to a question from People Power Party lawmaker Cho Jiyeon?"Who is the main enemy of the Republic of Korea? Is North Korea the main enemy?"?by saying, "The main enemy is any force that endangers the Republic of Korea," but also added, "Yesterday, the nominee for Minister of Unification said North Korea is not the main enemy, and I agree with that." He then reiterated, "North Korea is not the main enemy."