Democratic Party's Test for 'Song Young-gil Administration', 3 Ministerial Candidates... Between 'Reform' and 'Pro-Moon' Factions

President Moon Likely to Request Resubmission of Hearing Report as Early as the 11th

Song Young-gil, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is holding a meeting with re-elected lawmakers at the National Assembly on the 11th. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporters Park Cheol-eung and Ryu Jeong-min] When President Moon Jae-in expressed that he does not intend to forcibly 'dismiss' the 'three ministerial candidates' deemed unqualified by the opposition party during the confirmation hearings, stating that "ability must also be considered," the leadership of the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), which took the ball, appeared to be in deep deliberation. This concerns the fate of ministerial candidates Im Hye-sook, Park Jun-young, and Noh Hyung-wook, who have faced opposition from both the opposition party and some members of the ruling party.

Within the DPK, the consensus is that there are no overtly serious disqualifications for these candidates, but voices continue to call for political judgment considering public sentiment. Some within the party believe that 'at least one candidate's dismissal is inevitable.' How this issue is handled carries significance in two respects. In the short term, it is linked to the parliamentary approval of Prime Minister nominee Kim Boo-kyum, which requires negotiation with the opposition. More importantly, it could be seen as a test of the reform will of the new DPK leader Song Young-gil’s administration and its relationship with the 'pro-Moon (pro-Moon Jae-in)' faction.

President Moon Jae-in is expected to request the National Assembly to resubmit the confirmation hearing reports for Im Hye-sook (Ministry of Science and ICT), Park Jun-young (Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries), and Noh Hyung-wook (Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport) as early as the 11th. The deadline for the National Assembly to submit the Blue House confirmation hearing reports was the 10th.

According to the Confirmation Hearing Act, if the president does not receive the hearing report within the deadline, he may request the National Assembly to resubmit the report within 10 days starting the next day. Until now, the president’s request for resubmission has been interpreted as a signal to push forward with ministerial appointments.

The DPK held a party caucus meeting the previous day to discuss the ministerial appointments but did not reach a conclusion. This is linked to the situation where the People Power Party (PPP) refused to convene the special committee for Prime Minister nominee Kim Boo-kyum’s confirmation hearing and to adopt the hearing report on the same day. Han Byung-do, the DPK’s deputy floor leader, said at the floor strategy meeting on the 11th, "The People Power Party unilaterally notified the cancellation of the special committee an hour ago," adding, "It is extremely regrettable."

Kim Young-bae, a DPK Supreme Council member, said on MBC Radio that day, "The three standing committee secretaries who held the confirmation hearings reported that there were no decisive defects, but there was a discussion asking the party leadership to decide considering cooperation with the opposition and public sentiment."

During the caucus meeting, some members expressed that the candidates did not meet public expectations, and a Supreme Council meeting was held afterward, but the decision was also deferred. Kim said, "Since the Prime Minister’s confirmation hearing and the plenary vote remain, we decided to make the final conclusion after discussions with the opposition."

Lee Sang-min, a five-term senior lawmaker, stated on Facebook that day, "At least Im Hye-sook (Ministry of Science and ICT candidate) and Park Jun-young (Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries candidate) fall far short of public sentiment and therefore should not be appointed as ministers," adding, "Leader Song Young-gil and floor leader Yoon Ho-jung must clearly express opposition to their appointments to President Moon. They must not hesitate or delay and should make their stance as clear and firm as possible."

Candidate Im faced controversies over taking family members on overseas trips funded by state support and allegations of plagiarism in her thesis, while candidate Park was embroiled in suspicions and controversies over illegal import and sale of ceramics.

Within the DPK, there have been many opinions that one or two candidates should be dismissed. Lee, who has criticized the pro-Moon mainstream party operation and is known as a principled lawmaker, is leading the charge in voicing these opinions.

In a phone interview with Asia Economy, Lee said, "Leader Song has repeatedly stated during the primary process that he must act according to public sentiment," adding, "Politics must follow public sentiment, and it is not necessary for the Blue House to lead everything."

A DPK lawmaker told Asia Economy in a phone interview, "When the party leadership gathered opinions, many lawmakers expressed that some candidates should be replaced," adding, "Leader Song also seems to have such a will for reform. Considering the relationship with the Blue House, a decision must be made."

In a special speech marking his fourth anniversary in office the previous day, President Moon said, "I do not think it is a failure of verification just because the opposition party opposes," but also mentioned, "I will watch all the discussions in the National Assembly and make a comprehensive judgment."

The possibility of conflict between the pro-Moon and non-pro-Moon factions within the DPK cannot be ruled out. Jeon Jae-soo, a pro-Moon lawmaker from Busan who served as the second secretary to the Blue House during the Roh Moo-hyun administration, appeared on CBS Radio that day and said, "It is clear that there are shortcomings in the ministerial candidates. However, there is no decisive defect that would completely deprive them of the opportunity to work for the country."

The opposition party is increasing its offensive pressure to push the ruling party. Kim Ki-hyun, floor leader of the People Power Party, criticized at the floor strategy meeting that day, "President Moon ignored the voices of the people and the opposition by saying he does not consider the 'Im-Park-Noh' trio, who do not meet public expectations, as failures of verification just because the opposition opposes," adding, "The ruling party, reduced to a Yeouido branch office, is ready to abandon even basic responsibilities while watching the president’s mood instead of playing a rational role of checks and balances."

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