Opposition Demands Withdrawal of Byeon Chang-heum's Nomination, 'Top Candidate for Fall' Accused of Comprehensive Corruption Set

22nd, Opening Day of Ministerial Nominee Confirmation Hearings
Jeon Hae-cheol Raises 'Gap Investment Suspicion'... "Inappropriate Election Management by President's Close Aide"
Ruling Party Rejects Kwon Deok-cheol's Vaccine Witness... Joo Ho-young Calls It a "Pointless Hearing"

Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the People Power Party, is speaking at a video conference meeting of the floor leaders held at the National Assembly on the morning of the 22nd. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy reporters Wondara and Lim Chunhan] The curtain has risen on this week's confirmation hearing political stage. From the 22nd to the 24th, the National Assembly will hold confirmation hearings for the candidates for Minister of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, and Ministry of Gender Equality and Family. Particularly, tensions are rising ahead of the confirmation hearing for Byeon Chang-heum, the candidate for Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, who is the opposition party's 'top priority for dismissal.' The People Power Party targeted Jeon Hae-cheol, the candidate for Minister of the Interior and Safety and a 'pro-Moon (pro-Moon Jae-in)' core figure, from the very first day.

On the 22nd, Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the People Power Party, said at a floor strategy meeting held at the National Assembly, "They appointed (candidate Jeon) as Minister of the Interior and Safety ahead of the April election next year. Candidate Byeon is a comprehensive set of corruption," criticizing him. Regarding the confirmation hearing for Kwon Deok-cheol, candidate for Minister of Health and Welfare, he sharpened his words, saying, "There is not a single witness related to vaccines. The Democratic Party of Korea refused to adopt witnesses, making the hearing meaningless." Lee Jong-bae, chairman of the policy committee of the People Power Party, also pressured, saying, "Before even discussing candidate Byeon's ability, there is serious concern about his character, and I doubt whether he deserves to stand in the hearing room," and urged, "President Moon Jae-in should immediately withdraw the nomination."

The People Power Party points out that candidate Jeon is one of the so-called '3 Cheol' (Jeon Hae-cheol, Lee Ho-cheol, Yang Jeong-cheol), core pro-Moon figures, and is inappropriate as the minister of the department in charge of election management. Park Wan-soo, the People Power Party's secretary of the National Assembly's Administration and Safety Committee, said in a phone interview with Asia Economy on the same day, "Under this government, three Ministers of the Interior and Safety have been appointed from incumbent Democratic Party lawmakers," adding, "Especially appointing close aides of the president ahead of by-elections, presidential elections, and local elections is unacceptable." The People Power Party also raised suspicions of 'gap investment' regarding candidate Jeon's apartment in Dogok-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul.

Minister of the Interior and Safety nominee Jeon Hae-cheol is attending the confirmation hearing held at the plenary meeting of the National Assembly's Administrative Safety Committee on the 22nd, responding to questions from lawmakers. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

At candidate Kwon's hearing, questions are expected to focus on the 'COVID-19 vaccine measures.' In response to criticism that 'vaccine procurement is delayed,' candidate Kwon replied, "The 44 million doses of vaccines secured so far are vaccines with a high probability of success, so they should not be insufficient to form herd immunity." When asked whether there are plans to support vaccines to North Korea, he said that careful consideration is needed, taking into account the vaccine procurement situation and public sentiment.

Real estate attacks against candidate Kwon are also anticipated. Candidate Kwon reported ownership of an apartment in Bangbae-dong, Seocho-gu (653 million KRW) under his and his spouse's names, a leasehold right for an apartment in Irwon-dong, Gangnam-gu (700 million KRW), a detached house in Yangyang, Gangwon-do (290 million KRW), a share of a commercial building in Gaepo-dong, Gangnam-gu (26.4㎡, 280 million KRW), and a leasehold right for a building in Gaepo-dong (30 million KRW). The People Power Party raised suspicions of gap investment, and candidate Kwon explained, "The rental periods do not match, so I could not move, but I did not purchase the apartment for capital gains."

Health and Welfare Minister nominee Kwon Deok-cheol is attending the confirmation hearing held by the National Assembly's Health and Welfare Committee on the 22nd, delivering an opening statement. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

The fiercest battleground between the ruling and opposition parties is the confirmation hearing for candidate Byeon, scheduled for the 23rd. The People Power Party is focusing its efforts on dismissing candidate Byeon. During his tenure as president of the Seoul Housing and Communities Corporation (SH), candidate Byeon referred to public housing tenants as 'poor people' and made remarks that seemed to blame the victims for the screen door accident at Guui Station, sparking controversy. Additionally, allegations have been raised that during his time as SH president, he canceled the conversion of marketing contract workers to permanent contracts and hired acquaintances. Kim Jong-in, chairman of the People Power Party's Emergency Response Committee, stated on the 21st, "It would be common sense to immediately withdraw the nomination of a poor candidate who provokes public anger and frustration."

The confirmation hearing for Jung Young-ae, candidate for Minister of Gender Equality and Family, will be held on the 24th. Candidate Jung is expected to face numerous questions regarding the sexual harassment allegations involving the late Park Won-soon, former mayor of Seoul, and Oh Keo-don, former mayor of Busan.

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