Opposition Wants to Summon Cho Kuk, Han Dong-hoon, and Seo Min, but Ruling Party Rejects All Three

Kim Osu Hearing Witness Dispute Continues
Opposition: "Must Not Become a Sham Hearing"
Ruling Party: "Intent to Turn It into Chaos"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Koo Chae-eun] As the ruling and opposition parties continue their extreme confrontation over the election of the chairman of the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee, the issue of adopting witnesses and reference persons for the confirmation hearing of Prosecutor General nominee Kim Oh-soo, scheduled for the 26th, is emerging as a "political landmine." The Democratic Party of Korea is opposing the witnesses requested by the People Power Party, including former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk and Prosecutor Han Dong-hoon, raising concerns that the confirmation hearing process will freeze once again.

According to political circles on the 21st, the opposition party has not yet decided to boycott the plenary session citing disputes in the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, but insists on not backing down from adopting witnesses and reference persons, stating that "the hearing must not be a superficial or ineffective one." Jeon Ju-hye, the floor spokesperson for the People Power Party, told reporters after a party meeting, "From the public's perspective, multiple people need to appear for proper verification," adding, "Negotiations related to this will proceed today."

Currently, the People Power Party members of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee are demanding the adoption of 20 witnesses for Kim's confirmation hearing, including former Ministers of Justice Cho Kuk and Park Sang-ki, Lee Kwang-cheol, the Blue House Secretary for Civil Affairs, and Prosecutor Han Dong-hoon. This is intended to hear testimonies related to allegations such as the illegal travel ban on former Deputy Minister of Justice Kim Hak-ui and the exclusion of former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl from investigations. Additionally, they have requested the adoption of three reference persons, including Professor Seo Min, co-author of the "Cho Kuk Black Book," and lawyer Kwon Kyung-ae.

However, the Democratic Party maintains a stance of "non-adoption." They cite reasons such as former Minister Cho Kuk being "currently on trial," Prosecutor Han Dong-hoon being "involved in ongoing legal matters," and Professor Seo being a "parasitology scholar." On the same day, Democratic Party floor leader Yoon Ho-jung said at the Supreme Council meeting, "The confirmation hearing for the Prosecutor General nominee is a place to check whether the candidate has any disqualifications or possesses the necessary qualifications to perform the role," adding, "It is a political intention to turn the hearing into a 'disorderly' event and, if negotiations between the ruling and opposition parties fail, to use it as a platform for criticism and condemnation."

The political situation is likely to deteriorate again due to the Kim Oh-soo confirmation hearing issue. Although the Democratic Party unilaterally adopted the hearing implementation plan for the nominee the previous day, the adoption of witnesses and reference persons has not been concluded and remains pending.

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