'Lee Hyehoon’s Fate' President Lee: "Will Decide After Taking Time"... On Unification Church Allegations: "The Road to National Ruin" (Comprehensive)

President Lee's New Year's Press Conference on the 21st
"Fairness Requires Hearing the Nominee's Explanation... Regret Over Blocked Confirmation Hearing"
On Criticism of Vetting Process: "How Could We Know Everything, Like Abuse of Aides?"
To Rul

President Lee Jaemyung expressed regret that he was unable to make a decision regarding the fate of Lee Hyehoon, the nominee for Minister of Planning and Budget, who has been embroiled in various controversies such as abuse of power, verbal abuse, and real estate speculation, after hearing the public's judgment based on the National Assembly confirmation hearing process. He stated that he would take time to make a decision, lamenting that the opportunity was blocked. This comes as the possibility grows that the deadline for adopting the confirmation hearing report on the 21st will be missed due to the People Power Party's boycott, putting the Blue House in a position where it must decide whether to request the report to be resubmitted. President Lee also asked for public understanding regarding his efforts to appoint figures from the conservative camp.

Yonhap News Agency

At a New Year's press conference held at the Blue House State Guest House on this day, President Lee said, "The issue regarding this nominee is truly one of the most difficult problems," adding, "I did not expect it to become such a problem. I have not yet decided what to do about this nominee, including whether to request the resubmission of the confirmation hearing report." However, he continued, "What is regrettable is that I wanted to have a public opportunity to hear the nominee's explanation and to make a decision based on the public's judgment after watching the confirmation process, but even that opportunity was blocked. The nominee must also feel regret, but I am very disappointed as well."

President Lee actively refuted criticisms that there were issues with the Blue House's personnel vetting process. He said, "We need to find out whether the allegations are true or not, but how are we supposed to know if she abused her staff? She received nominations from the conservative camp five times and was elected to the National Assembly three times, yet no issues were ever raised," he emphasized.

He continued, "If (the People Power Party and others) attack us by revealing information only they know, as if punishing a traitor in the movie 'The Godfather,' it is difficult for us to know. It makes me wonder whether this is politics or reality," he said. "It is difficult to ask the public for understanding, but I hope for 'partial acceptance' in light of the necessity of (national) unity," he added.

Nevertheless, the president reiterated that he must represent the entire nation. Regarding criticism from his own supporters about the nomination, he said, "Before being elected president, I was a representative of one side, but after being elected, I must represent everyone. That is my firm belief," and added, "Even if we do not lose our core values, let us try to find a path where everyone can move forward together."

He went on to say about the nomination, "Although we may have fought by dividing sides, the fight is over, and now we must move toward a unified nation that represents everyone. That is an important duty of the president, but I do not think I am fulfilling it as much as needed," he said. "I hope for understanding regarding the necessity of such (unity)."

Meanwhile, after the press conference, the ruling and opposition parties reached a tentative agreement to hold a confirmation hearing for Lee Hyehoon, the nominee for Minister of Planning and Budget. A Democratic Party official from the Planning and Finance Committee stated, "We have tentatively agreed to hold the hearing on the 23rd, on the condition that the requested materials are submitted." However, since the condition of submitting materials remains, the actual holding of the hearing is still fluid. It appears that the ruling and opposition parties reached a conditional agreement after President Lee repeatedly emphasized the necessity of the confirmation hearing during the New Year's press conference and other occasions.

Political Involvement by Religion Is "A Path to National Ruin"... Must Be Eradicated

Yonhap News Agency

Regarding suspicions of "collusion between religion and politics" involving groups such as the Unification Church and Shincheonji, President Lee reiterated that this is "a path to national ruin" and emphasized that "it must be eradicated." He specifically pointed out that it is unacceptable to systematically use religious beliefs as a political tool, saying, "They do not realize how wrong and dangerous this is and believe it is their right." He continued, "It is like giving someone a gun to defend the country, only for them to point it at the people and commit an act of rebellion at will," he criticized.

He noted that when religious beliefs and political tendencies are combined, it can cause significant social problems, and directly mentioned the content of some Protestant pastors' sermons. President Lee said, "Protestant churches did not openly and systematically engage in such behavior in the past, but recently, there are cases where they do so openly and systematically. Some even repeatedly preach 'Kill Lee Jaemyung' or say 'Korea will only survive if Lee Jaemyung dies,'" he pointed out.

He also suggested that investigations could be expanded to problematic Protestant churches. Introducing calls for investigations into some Protestant churches, President Lee said, "When plowing a field, you first remove the big stones, then the gravel and small stones. If you try to remove everything at once, it is too difficult. First, we must remove the big stones, and then the time will come to remove the gravel," he said. He added, "We must take this opportunity to amend the law and strictly regulate political involvement by religious groups. The current penalties are far too lenient," he pointed out.

Regarding the delay in launching a special prosecutor related to this issue, President Lee argued that it appears the opposition, including the People Power Party, lacks the will to proceed. He stated, "It seems they do not really want to do it but only say so outwardly, so I have instructed that investigations be carried out until a special prosecutor is agreed upon. There are many cases where they say they want to do it but do not actually do it. A representative example is the Daejang-dong special prosecutor; I suggested it, but they created someone who does not want to do it," he explained. He added that until the special prosecutor is launched, investigations will be conducted swiftly and strictly, regardless of rank or status.

"Dialogue Between the Ruling and Opposition Parties Comes First... Will Meet Representative Jang Donghyuk When Necessary"

Yonhap News Agency

President Lee effectively rejected the request from People Power Party Representative Jang Donghyuk for a summit meeting. He said, "We should meet when it is necessary and useful. Although meetings should continue, if I engage in direct talks or 'direct transactions' with individual parties, what will happen to the relationship between the ruling and opposition parties and the National Assembly?" he asked rhetorically. He emphasized, "It is right to meet after sufficient dialogue and when an additional breakthrough or a political decision by the president is needed."