Prime Minister Han on Controversy Over President's Relatives' Hiring: "Must Consider Ability and Experience Together"

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo is attending the government questioning session on politics, diplomacy, unification, and security held at the National Assembly plenary session hall on the 25th, responding to questions from lawmakers. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Dae-yeol] Prime Minister Han Duck-soo said on the 25th regarding the controversy over the hiring of relatives of President Yoon Seok-yeol at the Presidential Office, "I think we should review the work they do and their career together."

During the National Assembly's government questioning session that day, when Democratic Party lawmaker Ko Min-jung asked, "Is it appropriate for the President's relatives to work at the Presidential Office?" he responded this way. He added, "Whether the person can handle the work well is an important consideration, I believe."

Earlier, when it was reported in the media that Choi, a sixth cousin of President Yoon, was working as a senior administrative officer in the Presidential Secretariat, the opposition parties criticized it using terms such as private hiring and privatization of power.

In response to lawmaker Ko's follow-up question, "Are you saying that even if they are relatives of the President, they can be hired at the Presidential Office after reviewing their career, etc.?" Prime Minister Han replied, "If the relatives do not have major legal issues, they are appointed after going through the entire verification process."

He continued, "I think we should understand and exercise restraint in not treating them unfairly just because they are relatives of the (President)," adding, "I am saying that their ability and other factors should be considered."

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