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

The Blue House stated on the 30th regarding Lee Hyehoon, nominee for Minister of Planning and Budget, and her "apology for insurrection," that "the nominee should continue to provide 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 administration's position on Lee's apology. He added, "We believe the public will make their own judgment," and further commented, "Rather than focusing on the Blue House's stance, please consider the nominee's position as it is."

After the announcement of her nomination as Minister of Planning and Budget, Lee 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 became so entrenched in partisanship that I missed the essence of the issue and the reality of the crisis facing the national community."

Regarding 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 at each meeting may inevitably change," and added, "Those who are not required to attend may participate or not depending on the specific issue or agenda item."

Yu Cheolhwan, Chairperson of the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission, and Joo Hyeonghwan, Vice Chairperson of the Presidential Committee on Ageing Society and Population Policy, recently received notice that they are not required to attend the cabinet meeting and have since been absent. While neither the chairperson nor the vice chairperson are cabinet ministers or mandatory attendees, they have customarily participated 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 during a Blue House briefing."