After 15-Hour Hearing, Lee Junseok Says "Withdrawal of Lee Hyehoon's Nomination Inevitable"

Sympathy for the Intent of Balanced Appointments...
Vetting Deemed a 'Failure'
Even Senior Opposition Figures Join Calls for Resignation

Lee Junseok, leader of the Reform New Party, stated that it is practically inevitable to withdraw the nomination of Lee Hyehoon, who was nominated as Minister of Planning and Budget by the Lee Jaemyung administration. He cited various suspicions raised during the confirmation hearing at the National Assembly the previous day, as well as criticism from both ruling and opposition parties, as the basis for his position.

Lee Junseok, leader of the Reform New Party, stated that it is practically inevitable to withdraw the nomination of Lee Hyehoon, who was nominated as Minister of Planning and Budget by the Lee Jae-myung administration.

On January 24, through Facebook, Lee referred to the confirmation hearing for Lee Hyehoon held the previous day, stating, "A 15-hour marathon hearing. It was an extraordinary day when lawmakers from both parties raised questions about the nominee's integrity in unison."

He highlighted the "One Pentas" subscription suspicion raised during the hearing and emphasized the role of Chun Haram, a member of the Reform New Party. Lee explained, "Assemblyman Chun Haram of the Reform New Party compiled a memorandum regarding the nominee and distributed it to the committee members prior to the hearing." He continued, "He traced the timeline of the One Pentas suspicion, pointing out that the nominee's daughter-in-law lived in a rented apartment in Yongsan prepared by her parents-in-law until just before the subscription, and moved out precisely at the time of the subscription. He also noted the coincidence of the marriage registration date, the resident registration transfer, and the subscription schedule."

Lee offered a somewhat positive assessment of President Lee Jaemyung's overall personnel appointment approach. He said, "President Lee Jaemyung's attempt to appoint people beyond factional lines was meaningful. I respect the intention of balanced appointments." However, he argued, "But the issues concerning this nominee were already widely known in Yeouido."

Lee Hyehoon, nominee for Minister of Planning and Budget, is attending the confirmation hearing of the Finance and Economy Planning Committee held at the National Assembly on the 23rd, responding to questions from lawmakers.

He also mentioned the nominee's past record. He said, "During President Park Geunhye's administration, she was considered a key pro-Park figure, but she did not receive any appointed positions at that time. Appointed positions are those for which the president bears direct responsibility." He added, "If only those who conducted personnel vetting back then had been consulted, this situation could have been avoided."

He particularly pointed out that the atmosphere within the ruling party after the hearing has become a burden. Lee said, "We criticized the personnel vetting during the Yoon Sukyeol administration for being a mess, but based on the results of yesterday's hearing, even Democratic Party lawmakers found it difficult to defend the nominee." He stated, "Withdrawal of the nomination seems inevitable." He added, "At both the Coupang hearing and this confirmation hearing, the Reform New Party did its utmost within the allotted time."

On the same day, former Daegu Mayor Hong Joonpyo also publicly called for the resignation of the nominee. Through social media, Hong said, "I hope you will voluntarily step down before the president withdraws your nomination," and added, "You should also voluntarily return the apartment won through fraudulent means."

Former Daegu Mayor Hong Joonpyo also publicly called for the resignation of this candidate.

He commented, "The confirmation hearing system may be harsh, but perhaps the public still sees it as a good system because, as in this case, both parties calmly conduct the vetting process." He continued, "It was commendable to see the confirmation committee members thoroughly vetting the nominee without being swayed by emotions or shouting recklessly." He then questioned the nominee, "Would you still want to become a minister when the reputation of both you and your family has been shattered?"

During the confirmation hearing at the Finance and Economy Planning Committee at the National Assembly the previous day, lawmakers from both parties focused their questions on suspicions regarding the nominee's One Pentas subscription and allegations of preferential admission for her eldest son at Yonsei University. The vetting of witnesses and reference persons was also conducted with particular rigor.