Minju Severely Criticizes Yoon Administration Personnel "Hearings Are Painful"

Hong Ik-pyo "Jo Tae-yong reshuffling... Is there only one person in the security talent pool?"
Yoon government forces 45.4% minister appointments... 20 out of 44 cases
"Ignoring confirmation hearings"

The Democratic Party of Korea strongly criticized the second-term cabinet minister nominees of the Yoon Suk-yeol administration on the 20th, calling the parliamentary confirmation hearings "truly painful."

On the same day, at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly, party leader Lee Jae-myung directed a sharp rebuke at President Yoon Suk-yeol, saying, "It seems the entire nation is becoming the president's private property," and added, "I cannot tell whether he is a representative of the people or a king ruling over them."

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 20th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

Regarding the allegation of illegal gift tax evasion involving 100 million won given to the child of Song Mi-ryeong, nominee for Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Lee criticized the explanation that it was "pocket money," saying, "If illegal gifting occurred, the proper response would be to apologize, take appropriate measures, and show remorse. How can anyone say they gave 100 million won as 'pocket money' in such a difficult situation?" He raised his voice, stating, "With such a mindset, how can they manage state affairs and comfort the pain of the people? They lack the basic attitude of being servants and public officials of the people." He also warned, "Probably, even if such incidents happen repeatedly, they will still be appointed."

Floor leader Hong Ik-pyo criticized the nomination of Cho Tae-yong, Director of the National Security Office, as the new candidate for Director of the National Intelligence Service, calling it a "musical chairs" appointment. Hong said, "Is Cho Tae-yong the only security talent pool the president has?" and sharply questioned, "Is national security a joke?"

Referring to Cho's experience as a member of the National Assembly, ambassador to the United States, and security office chief, Hong said, "These are important positions requiring expertise and understanding of the work," and criticized, "This kind of musical chairs appointment either admits the poverty of the talent pool or is simply incomprehensible." He further stated, "This absurd cabinet reshuffle replaces ministers who should be changed slowly while hastily replacing those who do not need to be changed," adding, "Out of 19 ministries, 10 ministers have been replaced, most of whom left for election purposes." He also called for the dismissal of the Minister of Gender Equality and Family, criticizing, "They leave such people in place while just playing musical chairs with ministers."

Regarding Park Sang-woo, nominee for Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, who was undergoing a confirmation hearing that day, the party pointed out, "After retiring as president of Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH), he established his own company and secured research contracts from LH," calling it "a typical example of preferential treatment for former officials and a cartel that the president has emphasized so much." They added, "Is it okay when it involves a cartel related to oneself but bad when others do it? Isn't this the ultimate 'double standard' (Nae-ro-nam-bul: 'If I do it, it's romance; if others do it, it's an affair')?" and urged, "We ask the president to take responsibility and resolve this."

On the same day, the Democratic Party highlighted that the Yoon Suk-yeol administration has pushed through ministerial appointments without parliamentary approval at a rate of 45.4%, criticizing the disregard for confirmation hearings.

Spokesperson Park Sung-jun told reporters after the Supreme Council meeting, "Comparing the rates of forced ministerial appointments in previous administrations: Kim Dae-jung government was 0%, Roh Moo-hyun government 5.6%, Lee Myung-bak government 21.5%, Park Geun-hye government 14.9%, and Moon Jae-in government 21.7%."

He continued, "The Yoon Suk-yeol government, which has been in office for only 1 year and 7 months, has a rate of 45.5%, having forced the appointment of 20 out of 44 nominees. There have been 6 withdrawals," criticizing, "This clearly shows that the confirmation hearings have been completely ignored and appointments forced."

He added, "Who is responsible for the personnel fiasco caused by inadequate vetting? Isn't it Minister of Justice Han Dong-hoon, who is in charge of personnel?" He also said, "An incompetent minister is being mentioned as the chairman of the ruling party's emergency committee, and from this perspective, it is clear that he will act as President Yoon's avatar."

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