Blue House: "Nominee Lee Hyehoon Must Explain Her Apology Until the Public Is Convinced"

Lee Hyehoon, nominee for Minister of Planning and Budget, is greeting as she arrives at the hearing preparation office set up at the Korea Deposit Insurance Corporation in Jung-gu, Seoul on the morning of the 30th. Photo by Yonhap News

On the 30th, the Blue House stated regarding nominee Lee Hyehoon's "apology for insurrection" that "it is appropriate for the nominee to continue providing explanations until the public is convinced."

Kim Namjun, spokesperson for the Blue House, made this remark during a briefing at Chunchugwan in the afternoon when asked about the Blue House's position on Lee's apology, saying, "The public will make their own judgment." He added, "Rather than the Blue House's stance, please focus on the nominee's position as it is."

After the announcement of her nomination as Minister of Planning and Budget, Lee Hyehoon became embroiled in controversy for allegedly opposing the impeachment of former President Yoon Suk-yeol and defending martial law. In response, Lee apologized to reporters on her way to work that day, saying, "I was blinded by partisanship and failed to grasp the essence of the matter and the reality of the crisis facing our national community."

When asked about the exclusion of the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission and the Presidential Committee on Ageing Society and Population Policy from the Cabinet meeting, spokesperson Kim explained, "The attendees may change from time to time," and added, "Those who are not required participants but are present as observers may vary depending on the issue or agenda."

Yoo Cheolhwan, Chairman of the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission, and Joo Hyunghwan, Vice Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Ageing Society and Population Policy, have recently been notified that they are not required to attend the Cabinet meeting and have been absent. While the chairman and vice chairman are not Cabinet members or mandatory participants, they have customarily attended as observers.

Meanwhile, when asked about the resignation of Kim Byungki, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, spokesperson Kim said, "Since this is a party matter, it would not be appropriate for me to comment on it during a Blue House spokesperson briefing."