Lee Hyehoon Refutes: "I Have Submitted All Documents," Unable to Enter Confirmation Hearing

Refuting Claims of Insufficient Submission as "Exaggeration"
Promises to "Look for More" in Response to Additional Requests
Confirmation Hearing Delayed as Parties Coordinate Schedule

Lee Hyehoon, the nominee for Minister of Planning and Budget, explained on the 19th, "I have submitted all the documents I can provide."

While waiting at the National Assembly for the confirmation hearing, Lee told reporters that day, "I have submitted all the documents requested for the confirmation hearing," and explained, "Many of the documents that should be provided by relevant agencies could not be submitted because the retention period had already expired, so the state institutions no longer possess them."

Lee Hyehoon, the nominee for Minister of Planning and Budget, who won a lottery for an apartment in Banpo-dong, Seocho-gu, where the price ceiling system was applied, reportedly gained a minimum market profit exceeding 3.5 billion won. He is arriving at the confirmation hearing office set up at the Korea Deposit Insurance Corporation in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on January 9, 2026. Photo by Kang Jinhyung

The National Assembly's Planning and Finance Committee held a general meeting, but was unable to even begin the confirmation hearing process due to issues with the submission of Lee's documents. Lim Ija, Chairperson of the Planning and Finance Committee (People Power Party), stated, "Since there has been no agreement between the parties' floor leaders regarding the hearing, as the chairperson, I cannot put any hearing-related agenda on the table," and did not proceed with the confirmation hearing schedule. After disputes between the ruling and opposition parties over holding the hearing, the committee decided that the floor leaders of both parties would begin discussions to set the schedule.

Regarding criticism of the delayed document submission, Lee asserted, "I submitted them at 3 p.m. on the 18th," adding, "There is a record of the submission." Regarding additional requests for documents, Lee said, "I will find more and provide them."

In response to some pointing out that the document submission was insufficient, Lee said, "That is an exaggeration," and emphasized, "I have submitted about 75 percent."

Regarding the opening of the hearing, Lee stated, "I am waiting for the hearing to be held so I can have the opportunity to fully explain myself to the public."