Ruling and Opposition Parties Agree on Swift Appointment of Interior Minister
Amid Ongoing Heavy Rainfall
The confirmation hearing report for Minister of the Interior and Safety nominee Yoon Ho-jung was adopted by consensus between the ruling and opposition parties. As heavy rainfall continues, both parties appear to have agreed on the need to swiftly appoint the Minister of the Interior and Safety, who is responsible for public safety.
On July 18, the National Assembly’s Public Administration and Security Committee held a plenary session and adopted the confirmation hearing report for nominee Yoon through bipartisan agreement. Shin Jung-hoon, the committee chair from the Democratic Party, stated, "Based on the questions from committee members and the nominee's answers, I worked with the secretaries to prepare a draft report on the confirmation hearing."
The ruling and opposition parties appear to have shared the view that the position of Minister of the Interior and Safety, which serves as the control tower in disaster situations, should not remain vacant in light of the ongoing disaster caused by heavy rainfall.
Seo Beom-su, the opposition secretary from the People Power Party, said, "Various issues regarding the nominee have been raised, and I believe further deliberation is necessary." However, he added, "Given the disaster situation caused by extreme rainfall, I believe it is the National Assembly’s role to swiftly approve the confirmation of the ministerial nominee for the department in charge of disaster and safety, so that the nominee can focus on protecting the lives and safety of the people. That is why we have adopted the confirmation report."
Seo also stated, "I hope the nominee, as you mentioned earlier, will embody the spirit of Jigong Musa (meaning absolute fairness and impartiality) and, as the minister in charge of disaster and safety management, will thoroughly protect the lives and safety of the people."
During the earlier confirmation hearing, nominee Yoon apologized for the controversy regarding his spouse’s omission of comprehensive income tax and for his past drunk driving incident.
In his closing remarks at the confirmation hearing, Yoon said, "There must have been many areas where I fell short in your view," adding, "I will keep the committee members’ comments in mind and actively address my shortcomings." He continued, "I will do my utmost, with a determination to devote myself fully, so that the Ministry of the Interior and Safety can be reborn as the Ministry of Happiness and Safety, responsible for not only the safety but also the happiness of the people."
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