Yun Hojung: "Opposition's Unconditional Demand for 'Legislation and Judiciary Committee' Without Justifiable Reason Is Wrong"

Yoon Ho-jung, Floor Leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is attending the Policy Coordination Meeting held at the National Assembly on the 6th and delivering an opening remark. Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Koo Chae-eun] Yoon Ho-jung, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, stated on the 10th regarding the issue of the three ministerial candidates deemed unqualified by the opposition party, "It is a matter for the party to decide. It is an issue of adopting the National Assembly hearing report." Regarding the opposition party's demand for the chairmanship of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, he said, "It is wrong to demand the position unconditionally without presenting a reasonable justification."

In an interview with MBC Radio's 'Kim Jong-bae's Focus,' Yoon said in response to the question, "Was the issue of handling the ministerial candidates discussed at the high-level party-government-Cheong Wa Dae meeting the day before?" that "It was not discussed."

Currently, the People Power Party is demanding voluntary resignation and withdrawal of nomination for Ministerial candidates Lim Hye-sook of the Ministry of Science and ICT, Noh Hyung-wook of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, and Park Jun-young of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, citing moral issues. Regarding this, Yoon said, "We will continue consultations with the opposition party in the relevant standing committees," adding, "We are closely monitoring public opinion, and there is a party meeting today. We will make a decision after considering everything."

Regarding the issue of Kim Oh-soo, the Minister of Justice nominee, receiving a high advisory fee of up to 29 million KRW per month as a counsel at a law firm after retiring as Deputy Minister of Justice, Yoon said, "If the fee was excessively high and it was not for taking on cases, it is understandable to some extent." He added, "He received a salary from the law firm," and said, "As a lawyer and a person with experience as a deputy minister, it is not at a level where one can say it is a lot or a little as a matter of custom."

Regarding the People Power Party's demand for the chairmanship of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee in the National Assembly, he said, "The opposition party should present ways to operate the Legislation and Judiciary Committee well without falling into the trap of a 'zoo parliament' or the swamp of a 'plant parliament' and then ask for the position," adding, "It is misleading the public to say that everything will be fine if the opposition party takes the chairmanship of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee." When asked if it means that the chairmanship could be conceded if the opposition party proposes alternatives, he replied, "It is wrong to demand the position unconditionally without presenting a reasonable justification."

Regarding the retroactive application of COVID-19 loss compensation for small business owners and self-employed individuals, Yoon said, "It is not a matter to decide only by listening to experts' opinions, but we will listen to all stakeholders, including small business owners and taxpayers who are suffering on the ground, and go through a public discussion process by comprehensively considering the opinions of government agencies and experts."

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