Byun Chang-heum Confirmation Hearing Starts with 'Shouting'... Opposition Party Demands "Voluntary Resignation"

People Power Party Welcomes Candidates with Placards
Jo Eung-cheon: "Do Not Let It Become a Venue for Political Strife"
Kim Jin-ae: "The Party That Produced Park Deok-heum and Jeon Bong-min"

People Power Party members of the National Assembly Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee are holding placards and urging candidate Byeon Chang-heum to withdraw during the confirmation hearing for the Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport held at the National Assembly on the 23rd. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Chun-han] On the 23rd, the ruling and opposition parties exchanged loud voices from the early stages of the confirmation hearing for Byeon Chang-heum, the nominee for Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. Members of the People Power Party greeted nominee Byeon in the hallway of the hearing room holding placards that read, "Do not insult the sacrifice of Kim from (Guui Station)" and "Even tenants dine out." The hearing began about 40 minutes later than scheduled.

Kim Hee-guk, a member of the People Power Party, said at the Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee hearing, "He lacks even the minimum dignity required as a human being, not as a cabinet member, and furthermore, it raises doubts like 'What happened to his soul?'" He added, "Nominee Byeon should immediately resign voluntarily, and if he lacks the courage, the appointing authority should immediately withdraw the nomination."

Song Seok-jun, a member of the People Power Party, pointed out, "Since being nominated on the 4th, he attended a presidential event on the 11th, voluntarily held a press conference on the 18th, and on the 22nd, he went to a specific political party to apologize," adding, "It seems as if he is already the minister."

Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport nominee Byeon Chang-heum appeared at the confirmation hearing held at the National Assembly on the 23rd and bowed his head to apologize to the public regarding recent allegations during the hearing. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

Jo Eung-cheon, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, said, "There have been many reports of allegations, but the place to resolve these doubts in front of the people is the hearing room," adding, "The role of the Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee is not to let this turn into a political fight but to scrutinize policies under a microscope and disclose the details to the public."

When Kim Jin-ae, a member of the Open Democratic Party, counterattacked by saying, "What kind of party is the People Power Party? It is a party that produced mafias like Park Deok-heum and Jeon Bong-min, with an average wealth of 4.8 billion won," People Power Party members strongly protested. Harsh words poured out, such as "Stop it now," and "Why stop?"

As there was no sign of the ruling and opposition parties' dispute ending, nominee Byeon once again stood up and bowed his head at the request of Jin Sun-mi, chairperson of the Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee.

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