Opposition Criticizes Candidate Oh Young-joo's Spouse Background: "Do You Acknowledge Their Influence?"

Kim Seong-hwan "Surprised to Come as Minister of SMEs and Startups Unexpectedly"
Candidate Oh "I Strive to Be Evaluated Based on My Abilities"

On the 21st, during the confirmation hearing for Oh Young-joo, the nominee for Minister of SMEs and Startups, held at the National Assembly, the opposition party raised concerns about the background of her 'spouse.'

Oh Young-joo, nominee for Minister of SMEs and Startups, is briefly lost in thought during the confirmation hearing held at the National Assembly on the 21st.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

At the confirmation hearing held in the National Assembly's Industry, Trade, and SMEs Committee that morning, Kim Sung-hwan, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, stated, "It is very puzzling that someone who has been with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for over 30 years suddenly comes to serve as the Minister of SMEs and Startups," adding, "There is only one puzzle piece that fits, and that is the spouse."

Oh's spouse, Jang Seok-myung, former Secretary for Public Office Discipline at the Blue House, was active in Yoon Seok-youl's campaign during the 20th presidential election. Classified as part of the MB (Lee Myung-bak) faction, Jang was previously convicted on charges of ordering the misuse of National Intelligence Service special activity funds in 2011 to suppress the exposure of civilian surveillance but was reinstated through a special pardon under the current administration. He currently holds the position of auditor at the Korea Specialty Construction Guarantee Fund.

Rep. Kim said, "Despite being a power-type corruption offender, he was reinstated," and asked, "Do you think it is appropriate that after reinstatement, he is receiving an annual salary of 300 million KRW as a full-time auditor at the Korea Specialty Construction Guarantee Fund?"

Oh responded, "I have nothing special to say regarding matters related to my spouse."

Rep. Kim also mentioned the MB faction and personnel from the Presidential Office, stating, "The only understandable path for nominee Oh to become a minister is that even without any connection to the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, if one is close to the so-called power figures of this government, one can become a minister. This is an example," and questioned, "Do you acknowledge your husband's influence?"

Oh replied, "I have nothing to say about the appointing authority's decision," but emphasized, "I have always strived to be evaluated based on my own capabilities while working in public office."

Democratic Party lawmaker Shin Young-dae also asked Oh, "Do you think your appointment as Minister of SMEs and Startups has nothing to do with your husband?"

To this, Oh answered, "I certainly think it has nothing to do with it."

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