Democratic Party Incheon Special Committee: "Han Deok-su Candidate Unqualified... No Deals Possible with Other Cabinet Members"

Prime Minister nominee Han Duck-soo (left) is seen conversing with Kang Byung-won, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, while looking at a mobile phone during the confirmation hearing held at the National Assembly on the morning of the 2nd. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] Members of the Democratic Party's Special Committee on the Confirmation Hearing for Prime Minister Han Deok-su have expressed an 'unqualified' stance regarding Prime Minister Han. They plan to present their opposition to the appointment approval bill for Prime Minister Han to the party leadership and also stated that they do not consider any possibility of linkage with other cabinet members such as Law Minister nominee Han Dong-hoon.

On the 6th, Kang Byung-won, a member of the Democratic Party who served as the secretary of the confirmation hearing special committee, along with Kim Eui-gyeom, held a press conference at the National Assembly Communication Office, stating, "The special committee members declare that candidate Han is unqualified as Prime Minister."

Despite the confirmation hearing being postponed for a week due to incomplete submission of materials, Kang introduced, "The candidate's credit card report showed zero won, and the requested usage amount data was only submitted on the second day of the hearing as an annual usage amount. Tax payment data for rental income from the Sinmunno residence was only allowed for the secretaries to view. Regarding the spouse, citing privacy protection and refusal to provide personal information, various tax details and painting sales records were ultimately not submitted. Furthermore, the work details related to the 2 billion won advisory fee from Kim & Chang consisted only of four meetings."

He also introduced, "There were suspicions of irregular gifting in purchasing the Sinmunno residence, with a publicly announced land price of 800 million won, from the father-in-law for 380 million won; questions about the legality of acting as an outside director of S-Oil, which has a contractual relationship while being an advisor to Kim & Chang; whether 'husband's chance' was used in the spouse's participation in the Fulbright exhibition during the ambassadorial period in the U.S.; and the sale of high-priced paintings to corporations, all of which were not clearly explained."

Kim said to reporters, "Candidate Han has accumulated a large fortune of 4.4 billion won over the past 10 years by moving between the Korea International Trade Association and Kim & Chang," and criticized, "If such a person returns as the head of the public service, what significant meaning would it have for the hundreds of thousands in the public sector?"

Regarding future responses, Kang said, "The party will soon hold a general meeting," and added, "We will actively convey the conclusion of the confirmation hearing and move according to the party's stance." He denied any possibility of linkage, saying, "The special committee members conducted the hearing with their conscience as lawmakers. It is impossible in terms of lawmakers' conscience to make an unqualified person qualified through a deal."

The confirmation hearing report is unlikely to be adopted. Kang indicated that while Sung Il-jong, the secretary of the People Power Party's confirmation hearing special committee, holds the position that the report should be submitted as qualified, Kang holds an unqualified stance, showing a significant difference in opinion that will likely prevent the report's adoption.

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