Confirmation Hearing 'Super Week' Ends on July 18...
President Lee to Receive Comprehensive Report
Allegations of 'Workplace Abuse' and 'Plagiarism' Surround Kang Sunwoo and Lee Jinsook
Evaluations of Inaugural Cabinet and Appointment System Expected to Diverge Depending on President Lee's Decision
As the confirmation hearing process for the first cabinet appointments since the inauguration of the Lee Jaemyung administration enters its final stages, President Lee Jaemyung is facing increasing deliberation. During the confirmation hearings that began on July 14, various allegations surrounding Kang Sunwoo, nominee for Minister of Gender Equality and Family, and Lee Jinsook, nominee for Minister of Education, have become the focus of public debate and are creating significant political pressure. In particular, both nominees are facing calls for resignation from civic and labor organizations that have traditionally supported the ruling bloc, further intensifying the burden. The so-called "confirmation hearing super week" will conclude on July 18 with hearings for Yoon Hojung, nominee for Minister of the Interior and Safety, and Chung Eunkyung, nominee for Minister of Health and Welfare.
Kang Sunwoo, at the center of controversy, has been accused of workplace abuse for allegedly instructing her aides to handle personal tasks such as disposing of household trash and repairing toilets during her tenure as a National Assembly member. During the hearing, her explanation that these were "simple misunderstandings" was met with criticism after additional Telegram conversations with her aides were made public, fueling accusations of a "false explanation." The Democratic Party Aides Council issued a strong public demand for Kang's resignation.
Lee Jinsook has also suffered a serious blow to her integrity due to allegations of plagiarism, "hijacking" of her students' theses, and illegal early overseas study by her second daughter. During the hearing, Lee countered the plagiarism allegations by stating that "the results of the investigation did not meet the threshold," but the Korean Teachers and Education Workers Union (KTU) has demanded the withdrawal of her nomination, stating that she has "seriously undermined the qualifications and ethics required of the Minister of Education."
The presidential office had previously maintained a rather general stance, saying it would "listen to explanations and make a judgment," but as the controversy deepened, it shifted to a more cautious position, stating that it is "carefully reviewing the persuasiveness of the explanations." On July 17, Woo Sangho, Senior Presidential Secretary for Political Affairs, said in a briefing, "Taking into account that confirmation hearings for other ministerial nominees are still underway, the presidential office plans to submit a comprehensive report to the president after the hearings conclude on the 18th," adding, "It is expected that the president, as the appointing authority, will make a decision after the comprehensive report." There is a possibility that President Lee's final decision may come as early as this weekend.
Kang Sunwoo, nominee for Minister of Gender Equality and Family, is attending the confirmation hearing held at the National Assembly's Gender Equality and Family Committee on July 14, 2025. Photo by Kim Hyunmin
Against this backdrop, three possible scenarios have become the focus of political attention. The first scenario is that the confirmation reports for both nominees are adopted by the ruling party, and President Lee proceeds to appoint both Kang and Lee. In this case, President Lee could emphasize "political decisiveness" and "principled leadership," seeking to secure stability for his administration in its early days. However, this would likely further worsen public opinion, damage the government's overall image due to the morality controversies, and intensify internal conflicts and burdens within the ruling party.
A second, compromise scenario would be to withdraw the nomination of one candidate while appointing the other. For example, if Kang's nomination is withdrawn and Lee is appointed, President Lee could be seen as respecting public opinion and demonstrating political flexibility. However, criticism toward the appointed nominee may persist, and depending on the support base and political background of the nominee who is withdrawn, this could trigger internal factional conflict. The reverse case would have similar consequences, though the degree may vary.
The final scenario is to withdraw both nominations, a decision reminiscent of the "Eupchamma Sok" (泣斬馬謖) principle of sacrificing close aides for the greater good. This could be interpreted as President Lee signaling that "moral principles and integrity" are core values of his administration. It would likely gain public sympathy and support and help restore the government's image. However, it would also attach a "personnel failure" label to the administration from the outset, and could increase the political burden and limit the president's options in future appointments.
President Lee's decision is expected to serve as a barometer not only for personnel issues but also for the overall direction and leadership style of his administration going forward. In particular, considering the overall dynamics within the presidential office and the ruling bloc, the decision President Lee makes over the weekend could lead to divergent evaluations of the composition of the inaugural cabinet and the appointment system. The opposition is also expected to intensify its attacks. Song Eonseok, interim leader and floor leader of the People Power Party, referred to Kang, Lee, as well as Chung Dongyoung, Kim Younghoon, Kwon Oeul, and Cho Hyun as the "six unqualified nominees," claiming, "The personnel verification system of the Lee Jaemyung administration is completely broken."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
