National Assembly to Hold Confirmation Hearing for Prime Minister Jeong Sye-kyun on 7th-8th... Approval Process Faces 'Rough Road'

Prime Minister nominee Jeong Sye-gyun is arriving at the confirmation hearing preparation office set up in Tongui-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 27th. Photo by Jin-hyeong Kang aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] The National Assembly will hold a confirmation hearing for Prime Minister nominee Chung Sye-kyun on the 7th and 8th.

Earlier, on the 3rd, the ruling and opposition parties confirmed the witnesses and reference persons for the hearing on nominee Chung. The witnesses include Ko Byung-guk, a Seoul city council member; Jang Ha-jin, head of the foundation 'Gukmin Sidae'; Ahn Yeon, director of Gukmin Sidae; and Jeong Jong-ok, president of the Jeonbuk Bugwi Nonghyup Association, totaling four people.

Regarding nominee Chung's suitability, the opposition party is protesting, calling him an "appointment that destroys the separation of powers," making the path to approval expected to be difficult. The opposition criticizes that nominee Chung, who was formerly the Speaker of the National Assembly, the head of the legislative branch, moving to the position of "second-in-command of the executive branch" is problematic. At the National Assembly's Special Committee on Personnel Hearings held on the 30th of last month, Chairwoman Na Kyung-won said, "It is an unprecedented move for someone who served as Speaker of the National Assembly," and lawmaker Kim Sang-hoon also stated, "There are concerns that this undermines the constitutional principle of separation of powers."

Unlike other Cabinet members, the prime minister nominee must go through not only the confirmation hearing but also the National Assembly plenary session's appointment approval process. Kim Hyun-ah, spokesperson for the Korean Party, also commented, "This is an appointment made with only passing the hearing in mind," and added, "No matter how invincible one is as an incumbent, this is unacceptable. It is a blunder that greatly undermines the authority of the National Assembly."

In addition to undermining the principle of separation of powers, suspicions have also been raised regarding nominee Chung personally. Korean Party lawmakers alleged on the 29th of last month that nominee Chung's annual credit card usage and donation amounts exceeded his income, raising suspicions of income tax evasion.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.