'Why is Jo Guk mentioned there?'... Unexpected 'Jo Guk' debate at Kim Bu-gyeom's hearing

Prime Minister nominee Kim Boo-kyum is attending the confirmation hearing held at the National Assembly on the 7th, engaging in conversation with lawmakers. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Seoyoung] At the confirmation hearing for Prime Minister nominee Kim Boo-kyum held on the 7th, a heated exchange took place regarding former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk.

At the hearing, Kim Kyung-ryul, a certified public accountant and co-author of the 'Cho Kuk Black Book' (co-representative of Economic Democracy 21), who appeared as a reference witness, raised similarities between the 'Lime Asset Management fund preferential treatment allegations' involving the nominee’s daughter and son-in-law and the 'fund allegations' related to the Cho family.

On the other hand, Park Chan-dae, a member of the Democratic Party, stated, "The fund related to former Minister Cho was ultimately handled as legally insignificant, and the stock price manipulation part was not even prosecuted." However, co-representative Kim rebutted again, saying the allegations related to former Minister Cho "have a strong nature of power-type corruption." Seo Byung-soo, chairman of the confirmation hearing special committee from the People Power Party, also guaranteed the right to speak, saying, "Park was given the opportunity to speak first by asking questions." This led to continued protests and commotion from Democratic Party members.

Additionally, when People Power Party lawmaker Cho Soo-jin mentioned Geum Tae-seop, who left the Democratic Party, to criticize government failures, Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Byung-joo rebutted, calling it a "normal primary," leading to a verbal dispute. As the hearing was delayed due to topics unrelated to the nominee, Kim pointed out, "Let's limit questions to verifying the abilities and qualifications of the Prime Minister nominee." In response, Chairman Seo said, "We are verifying what the Moon Jae-in administration has gone through over the past four years and addressing its merits and faults."

Meanwhile, former Minister Cho Kuk posted an apology on his Facebook on the 6th. He quoted a column from Hankyoreh newspaper titled, "Can we not offer sincere apologies to the youth?" and reused an apology statement he had issued in 2019 as a response. He also added, "As a former high-ranking public official, I will take unlimited political and moral responsibility. I will accept more punishment."

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