Jeong Eunkyung's Confirmation Hearing Disrupted from the Start... Adjourned After About 40 Minutes

Ruling and Opposition Clash Over Document Submission
"Must Clarify Allegations of Spouse's COVID-19 Stock Profits"

The confirmation hearing for Jeong Eunkyung, the nominee for Minister of Health and Welfare, held on the 18th, was disrupted from the outset and was adjourned after about 40 minutes. The opposition party, People Power Party, strongly protested, demanding additional time for verification, arguing that Jeong's side had only submitted key documents related to suspicions of 'COVID-19 beneficiary stock' transactions immediately before the hearing.

Jeong Eunkyung, the nominee for Minister of Health and Welfare, after taking the oath at the confirmation hearing held on the 18th at the National Assembly Health and Welfare Committee, is heading to her seat after submitting the oath document to Park Jumin, the committee chairman from the Democratic Party. Photo by Yonhap News

The National Assembly Health and Welfare Committee convened a plenary session at 10 a.m. that day to begin the confirmation hearing for Jeong. However, immediately after the start, People Power Party lawmakers criticized Jeong's document submission practices through procedural remarks, and some lawmakers left the room, demanding the suspension of the hearing.

Kim Mi-ae, the People Power Party's secretary for the Health and Welfare Committee, stated, "It is fundamental for nominee Jeong to clear up suspicions regarding COVID-19 beneficiary stock transactions during her tenure as Director of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency." She continued, "We repeatedly requested the submission of all transaction records, but only received documents for a single day, December 30, 2024, right before this morning's hearing. How are we supposed to analyze everything and conduct the hearing in such a short time?" Kim also pointed out that the submitted documents were limited to Kiwoom Securities transaction records, insisting, "Records from other securities firms must also be submitted, and if they do not exist, a certificate confirming their absence should be provided."

In response, Lee Su-jin, secretary for the Democratic Party, protested, "People Power Party is using the nominee's family as a hostage to manipulate public opinion and is intent on obstructing state affairs," adding, "They are so focused on blocking people's livelihoods that one might wonder if they are not a party of rebellion." Seo Mihwa, another Democratic Party lawmaker, advised, "If we indiscriminately disparage candidates under the pretext of verification, we may lose excellent public servants. Today's hearing should ensure both proper verification and the public's right to know about the nominee's capabilities and policy vision."

Nam Insoon, a Democratic Party lawmaker, remarked, "The FTN stock in question was entirely sold in 2018, before the COVID-19 outbreak," and questioned, "People keep labeling it a COVID-19 stock, but wouldn't it be reasonable to check the facts before making such accusations?"

Lee Jooyoung, a lawmaker from the Reform Party, commented, "Stock prices fluctuated significantly during the COVID-19 period, and if there were frequent stock purchases and sales by the nominee's spouse, it would be behavior that puts the lives and freedoms of the public at stake." He added, "I hope the nominee's sincere submission and the resolution of suspicions will be satisfactory to the public."

As the confrontation between the ruling and opposition parties continued, Park Jumin, the committee chairman, proposed a compromise to adjourn the hearing for one hour after hearing the nominee's oath and opening statement, in order to review the documents. The hearing was then adjourned.

In her opening statement, nominee Jeong acknowledged, "There may be many shortcomings on my part," but pledged that, if appointed as minister, she would work to: establish a robust and comprehensive social safety net; strengthen the state's responsibility for care; build a people-centered healthcare system; and lay the foundation for Korea to become a leading nation in health and welfare in the future.