The five-day ‘super week’ hearings examined 16 cabinet nominees from July 14 to 18, but opposition lawmakers and critics described the proceedings as ineffective and superficial.
The ruling party focused on defending candidates while the opposition struggled with internal conflicts and special prosecutor investigations.
The main opposition People Power Party labeled five nominees as "unqualified" and demanded their withdrawal, including Kang Sun-woo for gender equality, Chung Dong-young for unification, Lee Jin-sook for education, Kwon Oh-eul for veterans affairs and Kim Young-hoon for labor ministries. However, all nominees appear likely to be confirmed without withdrawals.
Both parties reached consensus on five nominees, adopting hearing reports for Bae Kyung-hoon for science and technology, Koo Yun-cheol for economy and finance, Cho Hyun for foreign affairs, Kim Jung-kwan for trade and industry, and Yoon Ho-jung for interior ministries.
The unanimous decisions came after the opposition agreed to cooperate on trade negotiations with the United States. Yoon Ho-jung's report was adopted on the hearing day itself due to concerns about disaster response gaps following recent flooding.
Justice Minister nominee Jung Sung-ho's report was adopted through a party-line vote after partisan clashes, including only the ruling party's assessment of qualification.
At Friday's floor leaders' meeting, ruling Democratic Party leader Kim Byung-kee said all nominees should proceed without withdrawals, stating there were "no disqualifying issues."
The ruling party treated confirmations as foregone conclusions throughout the hearings, while the opposition showed resistance against the legislative majority.
Some nominees adopted a strategy of avoiding direct answers during questioning. Education Minister nominee Lee Jin-sook was later found to have notes suggesting she avoid direct answers and give evasive responses to difficult questions.
Gender equality Minister nominee Kang Sun-woo repeatedly apologized for staff abuse allegations, becoming emotional during testimony. However, additional controversies emerged regarding false explanations and property disclosure omissions.
Health Minister nominee Jeong Eun-kyeong's hearing received less attention despite opposition attacks, with the ruling party defending her while dismissing alleged criticism of profiting from trading stocks related to the COVID-19 as "fake news."
Three more confirmation hearings remain scheduled, including the Constitutional Court Chief Justice nominee Kim Sang-hwan on July 21 and Land Minister nominee Kim Yun-duk and Culture Minister nominee Chae Hwi-young on July 29, with real estate and wealth controversies expected to dominate discussions.
reporter
Kim Dong-young
davekim0807@ajupress.com
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.
View more comments