The National Assembly's Gender Equality Committee was set to finalize the schedule for Yoon Hye-in's confirmation hearing on September 10, but the meeting was abruptly canceled just one hour before it was to begin. Both the ruling and opposition parties exchanged blame over the cancellation.
Members of the opposition People Power Party held a press conference, stating, "We coordinated with the Democratic Party on the hearing schedule, but failed to reach an agreement on witness selection," urging the opposition to accept all requested witnesses. They emphasized, "If the demand for witness selection is rejected, the Democratic Party will bear full responsibility for the disruption of the confirmation hearing."
The People Power Party insisted that 28 witnesses, including Kang Hoon-sik, Chief of Staff to the President, and Kim Hyun-ji, Head of the Presidential Office's First Division, should be called to address allegations related to an alleged 'under-organization.' However, the Democratic Party only agreed to accept Moon Mi-jung, the acting leader of the Basic Income Party. They argued that the hearing would merely provide an opportunity for Yoon to make excuses, labeling it a 'meaningless hearing.'
In contrast, lawmakers from the Democratic Party, Justice Reform Party, and Progressive Party criticized the unilateral cancellation of the schedule by the People Power Party. Lee Soo-jin, the Democratic Party's Gender Equality Committee secretary, stated, "Chairperson Kim Jeong-ja unilaterally canceled the meeting scheduled for today, and the cause and responsibility for this disruption lie solely with the People Power Party."
Lee added, "There has never been a precedent for the Chief of Staff or the head of the Presidential Office to appear as witnesses at a confirmation hearing," accusing the opposition of attempting to delay the process with unreasonable demands for witnesses.
Jung Chun-sang, a member of the Justice Reform Party, remarked, "The confirmation hearing must be completed by the 18th at the latest, and requests for witness attendance should be submitted at least five days in advance," pointing out that the Gender Equality Committee has failed to schedule a hearing related to this cabinet reshuffle and did not pass any bills last month.
Meanwhile, following the disruption of the Gender Equality Committee meeting, Yoon held a press conference at the National Assembly, addressing concerns regarding her dual role as a lawmaker and allegations surrounding both the Basic Income Party and herself. Regarding the under-organization allegations, she acknowledged her involvement with a private faction referred to as an under-organization since 2013 but explained that this faction disbanded in 2017. She stated that after the disbandment, she lost contact with former colleagues and has no ties to the Basic Income Party.
Yoon emphasized, "I prepared thoroughly for the hearing to ensure that no doubts remain, but the schedule has yet to be set. I urge you to hold the confirmation hearing. I will answer sincerely before the public."
Members of the opposition People Power Party held a press conference, stating, "We coordinated with the Democratic Party on the hearing schedule, but failed to reach an agreement on witness selection," urging the opposition to accept all requested witnesses. They emphasized, "If the demand for witness selection is rejected, the Democratic Party will bear full responsibility for the disruption of the confirmation hearing."
The People Power Party insisted that 28 witnesses, including Kang Hoon-sik, Chief of Staff to the President, and Kim Hyun-ji, Head of the Presidential Office's First Division, should be called to address allegations related to an alleged 'under-organization.' However, the Democratic Party only agreed to accept Moon Mi-jung, the acting leader of the Basic Income Party. They argued that the hearing would merely provide an opportunity for Yoon to make excuses, labeling it a 'meaningless hearing.'
In contrast, lawmakers from the Democratic Party, Justice Reform Party, and Progressive Party criticized the unilateral cancellation of the schedule by the People Power Party. Lee Soo-jin, the Democratic Party's Gender Equality Committee secretary, stated, "Chairperson Kim Jeong-ja unilaterally canceled the meeting scheduled for today, and the cause and responsibility for this disruption lie solely with the People Power Party."
Lee added, "There has never been a precedent for the Chief of Staff or the head of the Presidential Office to appear as witnesses at a confirmation hearing," accusing the opposition of attempting to delay the process with unreasonable demands for witnesses.
Jung Chun-sang, a member of the Justice Reform Party, remarked, "The confirmation hearing must be completed by the 18th at the latest, and requests for witness attendance should be submitted at least five days in advance," pointing out that the Gender Equality Committee has failed to schedule a hearing related to this cabinet reshuffle and did not pass any bills last month.
Meanwhile, following the disruption of the Gender Equality Committee meeting, Yoon held a press conference at the National Assembly, addressing concerns regarding her dual role as a lawmaker and allegations surrounding both the Basic Income Party and herself. Regarding the under-organization allegations, she acknowledged her involvement with a private faction referred to as an under-organization since 2013 but explained that this faction disbanded in 2017. She stated that after the disbandment, she lost contact with former colleagues and has no ties to the Basic Income Party.
Yoon emphasized, "I prepared thoroughly for the hearing to ensure that no doubts remain, but the schedule has yet to be set. I urge you to hold the confirmation hearing. I will answer sincerely before the public."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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