Ruling and Opposition Parties Brace for Showdown Over Koo Yooncheol, Cho Hyun, and Kim Junggwan
Opposition Focuses Scrutiny on Nominee Cho Over Spousal Land Speculation
Ruling Party Rallies to Defend Lee Jaemyung Administration's Cabinet Formation
Both Parties Shield Kang Sunwoo and JinSook Lee Amid Internal Criticism
Song Eonseok, Emergency Response Committee Chairman and Floor Leader of the People Power Party, stated on the 17th, "We request a meeting with President Lee Jaemyung to address the future of the 'six unqualified figures' and to improve the personnel verification system."
At the Emergency Response Committee meeting held at the National Assembly that day, Song said, "We hope the presidential office will immediately respond to the main opposition leader's proposal for a meeting with the president." The suggestion of a meeting between the president and the leader of the main opposition party, reminiscent of past summit talks, is a strategic move to break through the current political impasse triggered by the first round of cabinet confirmation hearings under the Lee Jaemyung administration. With criticism mounting over the slow pace of party innovation, the opposition aims to sharpen its stance against the ruling bloc, reorganize the party, and seize the initiative in the political arena.
Song Eonseok, Emergency Response Committee Chairman and Floor Leader of the People Power Party, is speaking at the Emergency Response Committee meeting held at the National Assembly on July 17, 2025. Photo by Kim Hyunmin
The People Power Party maintained this stance during the confirmation hearings for key economic and security positions held that day, including nominee for Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance Koo Yooncheol, nominee for Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Hyun, and nominee for Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Kim Junggwan. The growing public calls for voluntary resignation or withdrawal of nominations for Kang Sunwoo, nominee for Minister of Gender Equality and Family, and JinSook Lee, nominee for Minister of Education, who previously underwent confirmation hearings, are also strengthening the opposition's momentum. However, the Democratic Party, which needs to swiftly complete the formation of the Lee Jaemyung administration's cabinet, is concerned about being swept along by this trend.
On the 17th, the ruling and opposition parties continued their uncompromising standoff during the confirmation hearings. For nominee Koo, attention was focused on suspicions of "double-dipping" compensation, as he received approximately 260 million won in remuneration from Seoul National University, Korea National Open University, Mokpo National Maritime University, Gyeongbuk Cultural Foundation, and the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee between 2022 and 2024. In the case of nominee Kim, the main point of interest was the circumstances under which he received about 280 million won in bonuses over three years after resigning as head of the Doosan Management Institute in 2022.
Cho Hyun, nominee for Minister of Foreign Affairs, is answering reporters' questions as he arrives for his first day at the confirmation hearing preparation office set up in Daewoo Building, Jongno-gu, Seoul on June 24, 2025. Photo by Jo Yongjun
Cho Hyun, who faces allegations of "spousal land speculation" and "son's gap investment," has been designated by the People Power Party as one of the "six unqualified figures." His spouse purchased a share of road land in Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, using a fractional ownership method in 2003 while Cho was on secondment to the presidential office. Five months later, the area was designated as Hannam New Town District 3.
Regarding this, Song Eonseok stated at the Emergency Response Committee meeting that day, "Acquiring road land, which is uninhabitable, through fractional ownership is considered a typical speculative tactic used by professionals," urging Cho to clarify his position. Song also claimed, "Some suspect that President Lee is using Kang Sunwoo and JinSook Lee as scapegoats to divert attention from other problematic nominees."
The Democratic Party maintains that none of the allegations raised against the nominees so far have been decisive, and plans to focus on resolving suspicions. While some within the ruling party are calling for the resignation of nominees Kang and Lee, there is also a prevailing sentiment that as many ministerial nominees as possible should be protected to complete the Lee Jaemyung administration's cabinet.
A Democratic Party lawmaker on the National Assembly Education Committee defended Lee, saying, "The thesis plagiarism allegations were dispelled due to differences between science and humanities, as well as differences with Chungnam National University." Another Democratic Party official said, "The Democratic Party gave the nominees designated at the hearings ample time to consider, and has done everything possible."
JinSook Lee, Deputy Prime Minister for Social Affairs and Minister of Education nominee, is reviewing documents at the confirmation hearing held on the 16th at the National Assembly Education Committee in Yeouido, Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
