Health and Welfare Committee, Led by Ruling Party, Adopts Confirmation Report for Jeong Eunkyung as Welfare Minister Nominee... People Power Party Absent

Lee Sujin of the Ruling Party:
"Appointment Cannot Be Delayed for Political Reasons"

The National Assembly's Health and Welfare Committee, led by the ruling party, adopted the confirmation hearing report for Jeong Eunkyung, nominee for Minister of Health and Welfare. Lawmakers from the People Power Party, who are members of the committee, did not attend.

Jeong Eunkyung, nominee for Minister of Health and Welfare, is attending the confirmation hearing held by the National Assembly's Health and Welfare Committee on the 18th. 2025.7.18 Photo by Kim Hyunmin

On July 21, the Health and Welfare Committee held a plenary session at the National Assembly in Yeouido and passed the motion to adopt the confirmation hearing report for the nominee. Lawmakers from the Democratic Party, the Rebuilding Korea Party, and the Reform Party, all members of the committee, were present at the session, while lawmakers from the People Power Party were absent.

Before the vote, Lee Sujin of the Democratic Party, the ruling party's secretary on the committee, stated, "It is deeply regrettable that all members of the People Power Party did not attend, even though the nominee's competence, qualifications, and the allegations raised against her were thoroughly addressed at last week's confirmation hearing. We must focus all our efforts on supporting citizens affected by the recent heavy rain and heat waves, and we also need to urgently address pressing issues such as resolving the ongoing medical crisis."

Lee added, "I have made continuous efforts to communicate with the People Power Party's secretary to adopt the confirmation hearing report, but despite today being the committee's processing deadline, they repeatedly insisted that today was not acceptable without offering any alternative. I have also heard that this is the policy of the People Power Party's floor leadership."

She continued, "Refusing to appoint the Minister of Health and Welfare in accordance with the party's political strategy is clearly an attempt to obstruct state affairs and hinder the livelihoods of the people. The Democratic Party can no longer delay the appointment of the Minister of Health and Welfare for political reasons, so we intend to adopt the confirmation hearing report today in accordance with the schedule stipulated by law."

Meanwhile, after the motion was passed, Park Jumin, chair of the Health and Welfare Committee, remarked, "The general strike by the healthcare workers' union, which had been scheduled for the 24th, has been called off. This is thanks to the attention and concern shown by many members of the committee."